• UGI USER
  • Jan 06, 2024
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RESEARCHERS ENGINEER PLANT CELLS TO PRODUCE DRUG FOR CANCER

Why in the News?

  • Scientists at Indian Institutes of Technology Madras and Mandi have successfully metabolically engineered plant cells to enhance the production of the anti-cancer drug camptothecin (CPT).
Source: ScienceDirect

Addressing Camptothecin Production Challenges

  • Camptothecin (CPT), a vital anti-cancer alkaloid, is primarily extracted from the endangered plant Nathapodytes nimmoniana in India.
  • Nearly 1,000 tons of plant material are required to produce just one ton of CPT.
  • Due to extensive harvesting, major plant sources of CPT are now red-listed by the IUCN, with a 20% population decline in the last decade.
  • This research offers a sustainable solution to reduce the pressure on endangered plant species, such as N. nimmoniana, while meeting the demand for vital cancer-fighting drugs.

Technical Details

  • The metabolic model was developed using experimental data and computational tools.
  • Enzyme targets for overexpression and downregulation were identified and ranked to maximize CPT production in plant cells.
  • An enzyme identified through the model led to the development of a 5-fold higher CPT-yielding plant cell line.

Funding and Publication

  • The study was funded by the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India.
  • It was published in the peer-reviewed journal “Frontiers of Plant Science.”

Potential Impact and Significance

  • Integration of metabolic engineering with bioprocess engineering principles can enhance sustainable CPT production.
  • The research paves the way for efficient commercial production of CPT and other vital alkaloids, reducing dependence on nature.
  • CPT is a crucial component in the development of cancer drugs, making its production essential.