St Petersburg University biotechnologists develop a product to help protect domestic animals against infections
Biotechnologists at St Petersburg University have patented a product that can provide a drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of infectious viral diseases in domestic animals. This invention is a yeast strain, Komagataella pastoris.
As noted in the description of the patent, the number of domestic dogs in Russia and in the world is growing rapidly. The problem of preventing and treating viral diseases in such domestic animals is therefore especially acute. The most dangerous diseases in dogs are plague, parvovirus, parainfluenza and infectious hepatitis. Interferon-based therapy, in particular that uses gamma interferon, can be an effective treatment.
The authors of the invention ‘A recombinant plasmid, a method for its construction andthe yeast strain Komagataella pastoris – a producer of immune interferon-gamma of a dog’ are: Dmitrii Muzaev, a St Petersburg University postgraduate student; and Marina Padkina, Professor in the St Petersburg University Department of Genetics and Biotechnology.
This invention opens the way to a wide variety of pharmacological proteins for use in veterinary (and potentially human) medicine, thanks to the unique platform on which it is derived. In addition, the prime cost of the target products is low, owing to the high yield of the yeast producers and the inexpensiveness of the growth media used for cultivation.
Dmitrii Muzaev, a St Petersburg University postgraduate student
‘The prime benefit, in this case, is that it reduces the likelihood of dangerous side effects to the animals’ immune systems,’ noted Dmitrii Muzaev.
The St Petersburg University biotechnologists were able to come up with the yeast strain Komagataella pastoris in the laboratory. It may be used to produce a drug based on the gamma interferon of Canis familiaris. This drug could be the first of its kind in Russia.
The authors plan to develop new producers of recombinant proteins for use in human medicine and various branches of industry.
The invention authored by Dmitrii Muzaev and Marina Padkina – A recombinant plasmid, a method for its construction and the yeast strain Komagataella pastoris, a producer of immune interferon-gamma of a dog – has already received Russian Federation patent No 2756852C2. It was obtained on 22 October 2021, and it is held by St Petersburg University.