Beyond Biotech - the podcast from Labiotech

Pichia pastoris: the microbial protein expression platform you’re probably underestimating

Labiotech Episode 170

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0:00 | 36:02

Today we’re diving into the world of expression systems with Iskandar Dib, of Validogen and we’ll explore the remarkable potential of Pichia pastoris, a methylotrophic yeast that’s revolutionizing pharmaceutical protein production and beyond. 

From industrial enzymes to biomaterials, food, feed, and diagnostics, Pichia offers a reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient platform for recombinant protein expression. 

Iskandar explains how biotechs can unlock Pichia’s full potential through Validogen’s sophisticated tools and strategies, fine-tuning protein expression with innovative genetic approaches and robust screening systems to deliver unmatched yields and quality. 

01:06               Why Pichia is often overlooked or underestimated

03:29               The basics of Pichia pastoris

05:25               How Pichia compares to microbial hosts like E.coli

08:14               Key advantages over mammalian cell systems

10:21               Pichia as a system for secreted production

11:30               Pichia and post-translational modifications

14:30               The challenges of working with Pichia

16:25               Strain optimization and genetic engineering

17:29               Meet Iskandar Dib and Validogen

19:03               The UNLOCK PICHIA platform

24:00               Real-world applications of Pichia pastoris in biopharma

27:19               When Pichia outperforms expectations

28:25               Adapting Pichia for emerging fields

30:23               Advice for those considering Pichia pastoris for protein expression

33:23               Learn more about Validogen

This episode is sponsored by Validogen.

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