(SCI) TURKISH RESEARCHERS SUCCEED IN PRODUCING THERAPEUTIC PROTEIN FROM TRANSGENIC RATS.

ANKARA, Aug 26, 2009 (TUR) -- Turkish researchers have succeeded in producing a protein which prevents uncontrolled division of cells (cancer) in transgenic rats' milk.

The interferon (IFN) gamma protein will be a breakthrough in treatment of several diseases such as cancer, hepatitis and viral infections.

The research at the Turkish Scientific Technical Research Organization (TUBITAK) was considered the second of its kind in the world. It will allow researchers to produce the IFN gamma protein more abundantly and cheaply.

In an exclusive interview with the A.A, Associate Professor Haydar Bagis from TUBITAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology said, "development genetic engineering techniques known as recombinant DNA technology allowed scientists to produce genetically modified organisms or transgenic organisms by collecting DNA molecules from different sources and combining them into one molecule to create a new set of genes. And use of transgenic organisms added momentum t researches in biology, medicine and veterinary. We call those organisms as bioreactor. During our works, we developed a new kind of transgenic rats which are resistent against freezing."

"Now, we succeeded in producing IFN gamma protein from their milk. This is a human gene which has a significant role in the immune system. We were able to produce limited amount of this therapeutic gene since we had to extract this therapeutic gene from human cells. Now, we will produce the IFN gamma protein more abundantly and cheaply from milk of transgenic rats," he said.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)