Paper Contents
Abstract
Plant-derived pharmaceuticals have long been a cornerstone of medicine, providing a rich source of therapeutic compounds such as morphine, artemisinin, and paclitaxel. Despite their importance, the production of these valuable compounds from natural sources often faces challenges related to low yield, slow growth rates, and environmental constraints. Synthetic biology emerges as a transformative approach to address these limitations by harnessing advanced techniques to engineer microbial systems and optimize plant metabolic pathways for more efficient production.This review explores the significant advances made through synthetic biology in the production of plant-derived pharmaceuticals. Key achievements include the successful heterologous expression of complex biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms, such as the production of artemisinin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the biosynthesis of paclitaxel in engineered bacteria. These innovations demonstrate the potential of synthetic biology to enhance yields, reduce production costs, and ensure a stable supply of essential drugs.However, the field faces several challenges, including the metabolic burden on host organisms, stability of engineered pathways, and optimization of production yields. Additionally, ethical and regulatory considerations remain critical as the technology progresses.Looking ahead, future directions in synthetic biology for plant-derived pharmaceuticals include the development of more complex biosynthetic pathways, the creation of synthetic genomes, and advancements in sustainable production methods. Continued interdisciplinary research is essential to overcome current limitations and fully realize the potential of synthetic biology in drug discovery and production.
Copyright
Copyright © 2024 Mayuri Machhindra Lendave. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
