Molecular Farming in Plants

Molecular farming refers to the production of valuable biomolecules, such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and industrial enzymes, using genetically modified plants. By engineering plants to express specific proteins or metabolites, researchers can harness the advantages of plant systems, including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and reduced risk of contamination compared to traditional microbial or animal systems. Notable examples include the production of human antibodies in tobacco plants and edible vaccines in tomatoes. Molecular farming has the potential to revolutionize biomanufacturing, providing sustainable alternatives to conventional production methods while contributing to food security and public health.