Plants: The Future Pharmaceutical Factory

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to identify\rprospects, advantages and challenges of plant molecular farming. Plant-made\rpharmaceuticals (PMPs) and plant made vaccines (PMVs) were intended to be used for human consumption. A broad range of plants, including\rcrops, vegetables and fruits have been investigated for their applicability in production of pharmaceuticals over the\rlast two decades. At present, mainly maize, rice, tobacco and safflower are\rused in open field production. Contained bioreactor-type systems focus on moss,\ralgae and plant organ culture. Expression systems include stable transformation\rof plant genomes—both nuclear and plastid, which are also used in\rthe generation of genetically modified crops, plant-viruses and transient\rexpressions. Each expression system (production platform) offers\rdifferent advantages and disadvantages. Production platform choice is\rperceptive and depends on a broad range of criterion. This study is based on\rliterature reviews, document analysis\rand internet database browsing.