Optimising a cell factory system for the bioproduction of silk-elastin-like polymers.

Abstract

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) combining the physicochemical and biological properties of silk and elastin have a high potential for use in the pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine and materials fields. Their development for use is however restrained by their production levels. Here we describe the production optimisation for a novel recently described SELP in the pETE. coli BL21(DE3) expression system. Both batch production in shake flasks and fed-batch production in fermenters were investigated and optimised. A comprehensive empirical approach optimising all process variables for both processes, in addition to molecular biology approaches for improving performance of the production plasmid were used to maximise production levels. Typical volumetric productivities reported for SELPs are approximately 30 mg/L but here we have increased production levels up to approximately 4 g/L, representing the highest reported SELP productivity to date.