Transgenic production animals which express therapeutic proteins in their milk offer a potential significant source which could augment plasma-derived proteins. The (tissue culture) production of these same proteins using genetically engineered mammalian cells is currently limited in its ability to perform post-translational modifications. These modifications may be essential for proper functionally and non-immunogenicity. For example, uniformly modified production of Protein C (a central regulator of hemostasis) using mammalian cell culture is being achieved at levels which will probably not supply the currently projected l00 Kg per annum need for Protein C. It has been established that transgenic animals can be made to produce human proteins in their milk and therefore used as bioreactors for that same purpose. Several exciting developments in this area have occurred over the past year for both rodent and large production animal species. This symposium and workshop is the second of a series of two- proposed meetings to gather together important contributors (biologists, biochemical engineers, etc.) in transgenic science and milk processing. The central and unique goal of this two-part transgenic animal workshop is to assess the impact that this rapidly growing area of biology will have upon biochemical engineering and the production of protein therapeutics.
