How can chemical manufacturing be made more environmentally friendly?

Phylotech, led by Ryan Shepherd, is revolutionizing pharmaceutical production by using plants to produce proteins and antibodies. The company, based in Middleton, WI, leverages the untapped potential of plant leaves for protein production. The concept originated from the discovery that plants secrete proteins, leading to the engineering of tobacco tricomb glands to secrete proteins. Despite early funding challenges, support from the NSF helped advance the technology. Phylotech's system offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods, with applications in therapeutics and bio pesticides. The company continues to address challenges to maximize its global impact.

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