The technology
The unique nature of hairy roots means they can be manipulated to produce a diverse range of molecules which makes them an ideal biotechnology tool.
Until now, scaling up hairy root technology for commercial use has been limited by factors such as shear sensitivity and mass transfer limitations.
Our proprietary bioreactor system overcomes these challenges to enable efficient, high-volume production of hairy root biomass with consistent product quality and reproducibility.
Why we use hairy root cultures
These unique plant structures have several distinctive features:
- Grow indefinitely, unlike adventitious roots
- Grow independently of the plant’s green parts and without geotropism
- Can thrive in bioreactors without light or heat
Hairy roots are an ideal biotechnology tool to produce speciality molecules:
- They can be derived from various plant species
- Express all natural biosynthesis pathways that produce specialised metabolites
- Can be genetically modified to integrate genes for particular metabolic pathways of interest
- These plant genes will push the pathway toward overexpression of the natural molecule of interest
- Able to produce and secrete complex active glycoproteins from a wide range of organisms (i.e. human proteins)
The technology explained: click to find out more about Samabriva’s proprietary plant-based bioproduction process.
Samabriva’s expertise & know-how
Expertise along the entire value chain – from concept to reality
Genetic engineering
Samabriva’s team is able to modify metabolic pathways to express heterologous proteins and overexpress key genes boosting productivity.
Generation of hairy roots
Samabriva is expert in transforming plants, including recalcitrant types like lignin plants (trees, tuberous plants, etc.), into hairy root cultures. These can be cultured in liquid media, opening up new possibilities for bioproduction.
Culture optimization
Our team defines a specific Design of Experiment (DoE) strategy which reduces the number of experiments required to develop a successful, optimized process. We manipulate multiple parameters in parallel to identify potential interactions that might otherwise be missed.
Pilot scale culture (25 L)
Samabriva can provide pilot-scale research batches in 25L proprietary bioreactors.
Large scale and routine manufacture
Samabriva is expert in large-scale bioreactor production.
Hairy root storage
Specific cryopreservation protocols have been developed to create Research, Master and Working "Root" Banks.
Scientific articles
REVIEW article
Frontiers in Plant Science - Hairy Root Cultures—A Versatile Tool With Multiple Applications
Research article
Plant Biotechnology Journal - Brassica rapa hairy root based expression system leads to the production of highly homogenous and reproducible profiles of recombinant human alpha-L-iduronidase
Article
Biotechnology and Bioengineering-Improving yield of a recombinant biologic in a Brassica hairy root manufacturing process
The development process
A controlled process from sequence design to large-scale bioproduction (ISO9001/GLP compliant)
Phase 1 :
ROOT CLONE DEVELOPMENT
Generation and selection of the high-producer hairy root clone (stable transformation)
Clone development, selection and characterization
Clone amplification
and specific culture optimization with DoE
Generation of a stable producer root clone producer with high production capability
Phase 2 :
MANUFACTURING
Pilot scale development and in-process definition.
Creation of the Research, Master and Working "Root" Bank (Cryopreservation of the clone at -196°C)
Scale-up and routine manufacture
Up-scale in single-use large-scale proprietary bioreactors (currently at 1000L)