Silkworm Biofactory: A Breakthrough Platform For High-Yield Protein Production

This book provides a comprehensive review of the silkworm as a biofactory for the mass production of various proteins, shedding new light on its potential beyond traditional silk production. Through this book, readers will learn about the silkworm's journey from a domesticated insect to a pivotal player in biotechnology, capable of producing biologically functional proteins due to its ability to undergo post-translational modifications.

The chapters cover topics such as the historical significance of silkworms, the impact of baculovirus on biotechnology, and the development of gene expression systems. Readers will discover the intricacies of transient and transgenic expression systems, as well as the challenges of improving protein yield in silkworms. The book also explores the expression of virus-like particles (VLPs) in silkworms and their efficient purification, highlighting their potential as vaccine candidates due to their antigen-displaying capabilities. Particular attention is given to the industrial applications of the silkworm biofactory, discussing the commercialization of expressed proteins and the regulatory hurdles that must be overcome. The author, an experienced practitioner in the field, provides expert analysis and insights into the future of silkworm biofactory and their role in pharmaceutical applications.

This book is an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and professionals in biotechnology, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical sciences. It offers a unique perspective on the intersection of traditional sericulture and modern biotechnology, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the future of protein expression technology. Whether you are a scientist, academic, or industry professional, this book provides the knowledge and insights needed to understand and harness the potential of the silkworm bioreactor.

Prof. Enoch Y. Park is an emeritus professor at Shizuoka University, Japan. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Tokyo in 1990, began his academic career as an assistant professor at Nagoya University the same year, and joined Shizuoka University as an associate professor in 1994. He was promoted to full professor in 1999 and served as Director of the Research Institute of Green Science and Technology from 2013 to 2022.

Prof. Park developed a bacmid expression system in silkworms and has been a leading advocate for their use as biofactories. His research, titled “Research on recombinant protein production using silkworm biofactory,” earned him the 94th Japan Prize in Agricultural Science from the Association of Japanese Agricultural Scientific Societies and the 60th Yomiuri Prize in Agricultural Science from The Yomiuri Shimbun in 2023.

He has authored or co-authored approximately 365 original articles, 36 reviews, 13 book chapters, and 2 books in the fields of protein expression, biotechnology, and nanobiotechnology.
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