2.2: Types of Cells Used in Biotechnology

CHO: Chinese Hamster Ovary

Used to manufacture recombinant protein.

Ex. Epogen, a protein that boosts RBC production.› Used to treat anemia

Vero Cells

African green monkey kidney epithelial cells.› Used as a host to a virus and then treated

with a pharmaceutical to test it’s effectiveness.

› Ex. Rabies Vaccine

HeLa Cells

Human epithelial cells harvested from the cervical cancer tumor of Henrietta Lacks.

The cells reproduce every 24 hours. Her cells have made vital contributions

to diseases such as leukemia, herpes, influenza, & Parkinson’s (to name a few)

Bacteria & Fungi

E. coli and Aspergillus is regularly used to produce human pharmaceuticals through recombinant DNA technology.

Usually grown in large bioreactors. Ex. hGH, human growth hormone.