IBC “Mir”: Russia and Belarus may start production of a valuable protein

A flock of transgenic goats which produce “human” milk is now growing in Belarus. This milk contains a valuable protein – lactoferrin (red protein), which is essential for both bottle-fed children and adults who need to boost their immunity.

A flock of transgenic goats which produce “human” milk is now growing in Belarus. This milk contains a valuable protein – lactoferrin (red protein), which is essential for both bottle-fed children and adults who need to boost their immunity. Belarusian and Russian scientists have made a proposal to develop a new Union State programme “BelRosFarm” which will make it possible to start the production of lactoferrin-containing medicines, informs the correspondent of “Mir 24” Inna Sogalovich.

Young goats are afraid of TV cameras and are trying to hide. Their older neighbours have already got used to the attention and willingly pose. Outwardly, these are ordinary goats. In reality – transgenic: these animals have been transplanted a human gene. Now they are like a biofactory producing lactoferrin which is isolated from milk. Overseas one gramme of such matter costs up to two thousand dollars, as this protein is the most powerful natural antibiotic. Today Belarus is carrying out preclinical trials of the first medical substances based on lactoferrin.

“In this case lactoferrin facilitates formation of normal microflora and, as a result, helps return to normal metabolic indices. Practically everything depends on the quality work of our stomach and wholesome food – both the cardiac muscle and the work of the brain,” said senior staff scientist of the Institute of Physiology Vladimir Lukashevich.

Some medicines are developed for children. It is primarily food for newborns. Others – for adults. This may be biologically active additives which improve metabolism and help lose weight, or let athletes increase their level of testosterone. But before all this is put on the market, more research is needed. In the rough, it requires one billion Russian rubles.

“This protein has a positive effect and is very promising. I think everything will depend on financing and how substantial the funds will be,” says Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Belarusian State University Igor Semak.

By 2015 Belarus is to build a processing plant where the valuable protein will be isolated from goat’s milk in production quantities.

“Now we are going to do it at Belarusian State University. We will expand the base there to build pilot production. We will be able to process from about a hundred to two hundred litres of milk every day and isolate the protein from it,” explains head of the laboratory for breeding and genetic engineering of farm animals Alexander Budevich.

It should be noted that the researchers hope to produce not only lactoferrin, but also prourokinase which can be isolated from the milk of transgenic goats as well. This protein is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. In general, implementation of this joint Belarusian-Russian project will make it possible to produce a new generation of drugs: effective and reasonably-priced ones.