Protein Overexpression and Bacterial Therapeutics

We have developed the proprietary NICE system for overexpression of proteins in the food-grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis. This system allows for tightly controlled expression of proteins using the food-grade inducer peptide nisin. This system can be used as a safe platform for expression of proteins that have a potential to be used as biotherapeutics.

A Bacterial Therapeutic against MRSA

Biosynexus Incorporated approached us to develop a process for the production and purification of a biotherapeutic protein. The US based company wanted to produce lysostaphin, an enzyme that could be used as an alternative agent against Staphylococcus aureus, which is well known for its ability to acquire antibiotic resistance (MRSA). Our experts constructed lactococcal strains for the overproduction of lysostaphin using our proprietary NICE technology, and we were able to isolate the enzyme using in-house homogenisation, microfiltration and pilot scale chromatography.The final purity of lysostaphin was over 95%.

Product for clinical testing

The unique combination of knowledge on genetic modification of lactic acid bacteria, microbial physiology and downstream processing from lab scale to production scale enabled us to successfully carry out this project. We supplied Biosynexus with several grams of 95% pure lysostaphin, which they used for successful clinical phase 1 and 2 trials.

Would you like advice on expression of your bacterial therapeutic using lactic acid bacteria? Please contact Herwig Bachmann.