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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.02.01.429263

Bioprinting transgenic plant cells for production of a recombinant biodefense agent

Varma, A.·Gemeda, H. B.·McNulty, M. J.·McDonald, K.·Nandi, S.·Knipe, J.
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Abstract

Transgenic rice cells (Oryza sativa) producing recombinant butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as a prophylactic/therapeutic against organophosphate nerve agent poisoning, cocaine toxicity, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers were immobilized in a polyethylene glycol-based hydrogel. The cells were sustained for 14 days in the semi-solid matrix, undergoing a growth phase from days 0-6, a BChE production phase in sugar-free medium from days 6-12, and a growth/recovery phase from days 12-14. Throughout this period, the cells maintained similar viability to those in suspension cultures and displayed analogous sugar consumption trends. The rice cells in the bioprintable hydrogel also produced a significant amount of active BChE, comparable to the levels produced in liquid cultures. A considerable fraction of this BChE was secreted into the media, allowing for easier product separation. Overall, we demonstrate a simple, efficient, robust, modular, and potentially field-deployable bioreactor system for the manufacture of biologics.

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Varma, A., Gemeda, H. B., McNulty, M. J., McDonald, K., Nandi, S., Knipe, J.. 2021-02-02. Bioprinting transgenic plant cells for production of a recombinant biodefense agent. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.01.429263

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