How cell-free processes could speed up vaccine development

Very recommendable! Nice overview article! Transcending nature!

"... Vaxcyte is one of a growing number of biomanufacturing firms embracing this cell-free biosynthesis strategy. Instead of relying on yeast or bacteria to make biomolecules, the approach strips away all the components of a cell that make it ‘alive’ — the long strings of DNA, the complex origami of the endoplasmic reticulum and even the bulwark of the cell membrane — and freeze-dries what remains. Scientists can then rehydrate the dried material with water and add nucleic acids to program the molecular machinery to make an infinite array of proteins on demand. ...

Researchers have been using cell-free systems for biochemical reactions for decades — but mostly in the research laboratory. Now, thanks to advances in both reliability and scale, cell-free synthesis is emerging as a major tool for everything from diagnostic-sensor development to vaccine biomanufacturing. ..."

How cell-free processes could speed up vaccine development Rather than relying on yeast and bacteria, bioengineers are looking for cheaper and easier ways to make proteins and other biomolecules.