Animal Free Structured Collagens for Regenerative Medicine

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Collagen is the protein 'cement' material that occurs between and binds cells in connective tissues (e.g., muscles, bones, skin) and organs in both humans and animals. As a resource, types of collagen can be extracted from animal products (e.g., cow skin) or as in the case of this project it is possible to synthesize them by incorporating the genes for human collagen into yeast. The pharmaceutical industry uses such an approach for the production of human insulin from bacteria for the treatment of diabetes. Producing collagen as a product of yeast fermentation is advantageous as it removes the risks inherent to animal products such as viruses and prions; provides a purer raw material free of potentially difficult to remove contaminants; and is suitable for Vegan classification.The purpose of this project is to optimise a process method that has already been successfully demonstrated for human Type I collagen production and apply this to two different forms of human collagen, Type II and Type III, which are found in different tissues of the body. Small scale trials have shown that yeast cells can be grown and sustained in a fixed volume tank where they are fed continuously such that they are able to produce human collagen in the form of Type 1\. This product is then separated from the main fermenter stock for downstream processing and preparation for sale. ProColl have successfully achieved this for Type 1 collagen, we are now seeking funds to develop processes to produce Type II and Type III human collagens. These three collagens (Type I, II, III) make up 99% of all types of collagens found in the body by volume, and so the ability to manufacture all of them from non-animal sources would be of great benefit for medical research and medical device industries which are seeking more biocompatible, safer, and ethical-free sources of collagen.