This Research Topic is the second volume in the series: Plant Molecular Farming for Biopharmaceutical Production and Beyond. The previous volume can be viewed here: Volume I
Plant molecular farming (PMF) provides a scalable, cost-effective, and inherently safe alternative to microbial and mammalian systems for the production of high-value biologics—antibodies, vaccines, enzymes, growth factors—as well as metabolites and synthetic biology-driven bioproducts. Recent advances in stable and transient expression systems, viral vectors, chloroplast engineering, and host chassis optimization are expanding the capacity of plants to generate complex, bioactive proteins and metabolites that can address global health challenges and improve access to affordable therapies.
Building on the foundation established in Volume I, this second volume emphasizes progress from laboratory proof-of-concept toward industrial application, clinical translation, and societal impact. By bridging fundamental science with translational outcomes and policy considerations, it seeks to engage researchers, developers, regulators, and decision-makers across the biotechnology ecosystem.
Topics of interest include: • Plant bioreactors: foundational studies and applied advances • Expression platforms: stable transgenic, transient, chloroplast, and viral systems • Chassis optimization: host selection and engineering (species/cultivar choice; organ/tissue targeting; subcellular localization; glyco-/proteo-engineering; growth conditions) to maximize yield, quality, and consistency • Downstream processing and purification innovations • CRISPR/Cas technologies, synthetic biology, and AI-guided design for enhanced yield and efficiency • Translational case studies and real-world deployments • Regulation, biosafety, and socioeconomic considerations for safe, sustainable, and equitable adoption
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