coli bacteria which then synthesised the insulin as it would any other protein it naturally produces. Human genes which code for the insulin molecule were integrated into a ring of DNA called a plasmid. That product was insulin, or more specifically a biosynthetically-derived human insulin distinct from the animal-derived variants that preceded it. The first human protein to be produced through biotechnological means was approved by the United States Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) in 1982, to the relief of diabetics everywhere 2. These large complex molecules catalyse chemical reactions, facilitate transportation of material, target and destroy foreign invaders and act as signalling devices – telling your organs what to do, and when. In all living cells, proteins are of crucial importance for facilitating the functions necessary to sustain life. The cells are first manipulated to introduce specific genetic material which directs them to use their own internal organelles and cellular machinery to manufacture a complex drug product. The basics of biopharmaceuticalsīiopharmaceuticals, broadly speaking, are therapeutic products – often proteins – produced using living systems, such as bacteria, yeast, or animal cells. The series will provide a behind-the-scenes look into the products, key unit operations, required skillsets, and the future of the industry. This article provides an overview of the biopharma industry, highlights the role of chemical engineers, and sets the stage for subsequent articles that will explore additional aspects of the industry leading the charge in the battle against the pandemic. These events have brought biopharmaceuticals to the forefront of public discussions, but what are biopharmaceutical medicines and how do chemical engineers play their part in this cutting-edge industry? It also sparked a vaccine arms race with worldwide political consequences. TO DATE, the Covid-19 pandemic has taken the lives of over 5.7m 1 people and impacted global trade, travel, and the livelihoods of billions. David Gemmell looks at key unit operations, and why chemical engineers are heavily involved in their design, troubleshooting or optimisation
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