Therapeutic proteins

This should focus on research into the development of therapeutic proteins of interest / value to the nation, harnessing biotechnological approach. these should include:

genetic and protein engineering for the production of commercially useful pharmaceutical biomolecules- Development of genetically engineered protein and biomolecules in a variety of hosts such as bacteria and yeast for pharceutical uses. Selection of cells and media and recombinant process suited for the production of biopharnaceutical product. The possible biotechnology products includes human growth hormone, interferons, granulocytes - colonytes stimulating factor, erythropoietin, ect. Cloning of genes and optimizing of clone expression will all be directed at these biomolecules.

Biotechnology process engineering- appropriate cell cultures and efficient harvesting are important aspects for the successful production of pharmaceutical biomolecules for commercial use. Other important aspects under this priority are include manipulations to the cells, cell banks and genetic construct. R&D effort will be confined to the production of pharmaceutical biomolecules.

Biotechnology process validation / integration - Validation/ integration are important aspect in the production of biomolecules. Adequate testing and validation must be in place for production of biomolecules especially those intended for therapeutic use as the purity must be more than 99.9%. R&D effort need to be directed at 2 major separation technologies. These are mambrane ( cell distribution, centrifugation, cross flow, filtration ) and chromatography (adsorption, ion exchange, gel filtration, affinity, HPLC and others) technology. This area of priority will need a multidiscipline approach.