Case study 01

Immunotoxins and Oleosins

You are employed by a Biotechnology company Immuno-Sidewinders Limited that is a major producer of protein pharmaceuticals. The company is interested in the potential of using oleosin technology in oil seed rape and has therefore contacted SemBiosys, (the patent holders) with a view to licensing the technology. Your team has been asked to produce an immunotoxin (containing B3 antibody) that is active against human carcinomas. Your research manager has asked you to outline the experimental strategy that will be used in your laboratory and to formally present this scheme to management. The full content of the report is at your discretion. However, it should include the source of the genes coding for the antibody and the toxin, the steps that will be used to sub-clone the genes and introduce them into the oleosin vector system, and a scheme of how these constructs will be tested. A description of the vectors and the transformation system that will be used and how the protein will be processed and tested for activity should be considered. Standard molecular and tissue culture techniques should not be included unless they have some relevance to the scheme. Your report should also present, if possible, a brief indication of any hazards associated with the technology and the potential cost benefits of the system over conventional methods of production.

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Case study 01.

Case study 01