(182j) Innovative Strategies to Unlocking the Full Potential of Plant Cell-Based Bioproduction for Valuable Recombinant Proteins

Plant cell-based bioproduction systems hold great promise as a sustainable platform for producing valuable proteins, offering key advantages such as scalability, cost-effectiveness, and a lower risk of contamination. However, several technical challenges hinder the widespread commercialization of this technology. These include low productivity and therapeutic efficacy of plant cell-derived proteins, as well as inherent issues in the cell culture system, such as cell clumping, genetic instability, and difficulties in cryopreservation. As a result, the full potential of this platform remains largely untapped. To address these challenges, we are developing innovative strategies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of plant cell-based protein production. Key approaches include: 1) Optimizing recombinant protein design – Engineering novel protein partners, such as synthetic hydroxyproline-O-glycosylated SP modules and the Fc domain of human immunoglobulin, to enhance protein accumulation and functionality; 2) Enhancing site-specific gene integration – Utilizing advanced techniques, including co-engineering Cre-lox elements, to ensure consistently high transgene expression while minimizing T-DNA-induced mutations; Developing elite cell line screening methods – Implementing novel selection strategies, such as co-expression of target proteins with a reporter protein, to mitigate genetic instability and maintain high-yielding cell lines; 4) Engineering plant cells for improved bioproduction – Leveraging genome editing tools to modify plant cell morphology, particularly through cell wall engineering to develop cellulose- or pectin-deficient cell lines, which can improve growth characteristics and protein secretion. By implementing these strategies, we aim to unlock the full potential of plant cell culture as a leading platform for producing complex and high-value recombinant proteins.