A new research program has been started to produce all the human secreted proteins in mammalian cell factories. The program aims to facilitate studies of this important class of proteins involved in many human diseases.
The human secreted proteins, sometimes called the “secretome”, consist of approximately 3000 proteins, which are produced inside our cells and then often transported out to the blood.
This class of proteins is important in many central processes in humans, including bacterial and viral defense, inflammation, cell signaling and transport of nutrients. As a consequence, they are important as potential targets for pharmaceutical drugs and a large portion of drugs now in the clinic are directed towards secreted proteins.
To explore this important class of proteins in a systematic manner, a collaborative program between the Wallenberg Center for Protein Research and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (CFB) at the Technical University of Denmark has been started with the aim to produce all human secreted proteins and to create a resource for further studies.
A mammalian cell factory will be used in the effort and the collaborative partners of the program, including AstraZeneca, will further explore the generated proteins.
“We are pleased that the mammalian cell factory developed at KTH can be used to create this valuable resource to allow systematic studies of the human secretome in a manner not possible before”, says Professor Mathias Uhlen, Director and responsible for the Wallenberg Center for Protein Research and one of the Scientific Directors at the CFB.
The program is jointly funded from four sources, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, AstraZeneca, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
Wallenberg Center for Protein Research
The Wallenberg Center for Protein Research (WCPR) is a center for protein research with a focus on the characterization of the human proteome and the production of biopharmaceuticals. Participating universities are KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Uppsala University, and Chalmers University of Technology. The funding is primarily from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
Center for Biosustainability
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (CFB) is a DTU research and innovation center established in 2011. CFBs objective is to develop cell factories for production of valuable compounds. CFB is a multi-site operation with approximately 260 associated researchers and the funding is primarily from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. For press inquiries regarding CFB’s part in the project, please contact Communications Officer Anne Lykke at telephone: 21123770 or annly@biosustain.dtu.dk
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Founded in 1827, KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm is one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities. It is Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution.
Technical University of Denmark (DTU)
DTU was founded in 1829 to develop and create value using the natural sciences and the technical sciences to benefit society.
Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is the largest private financier of research in Sweden and also one of Europe’s largest. The purpose of the Foundation is to promote scientific research, teaching and education beneficial to the Kingdom of Sweden.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is an independent Danish foundation with corporate interests. The objective of the Novo Nordisk Foundation is twofold: To provide a stable basis for the commercial and research activities conducted by the companies within the Novo Group and to support scientific and humanitarian purposes.
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Respiratory and Autoimmunity, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, and Oncology.