Molecular farming involves the genetic modification of crops to produce valuable molecules such as pharmaceuticals and proteins directly in their tissues. This technique leverages plants as bioreactors to reduce costs and environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
Traditional methods of producing pharmaceuticals often involve complex purification processes and high costs due to the need for specialized equipment and environments. Molecular farming offers a more cost-effective, scalable, and environmentally friendly alternative by utilizing plants as natural factories.
Genetic material is introduced into plant cells, typically via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or other gene editing techniques like CRISPR/Cas9. The target genes code for the desired protein or molecule, which is then produced in the plant tissues such as leaves or seeds. These tissues can be harvested and processed to extract the product.
The process involves genetic engineering, plant cultivation, tissue culture, and downstream processing steps like extraction and purification.
Initial stages involve gene selection and design, followed by transformation of the host plant. This is then followed by growing the genetically modified plants in controlled environments to ensure consistent production. Harvesting and processing are critical for yield and quality control.
Field units draw low hundreds of watts; fabrication is energy-intensive due to vacuum baking and other processing steps.
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