S2: Recent workflow improvements for mammalian protein expression (CHO transients, CHO stables, CHO retroviral) to support research programs at Biogen Idec

Biogen Idec runs small molecule and biologics research programs from early discovery research through to marketed drugs.  Our group supports the mammalian protein expression and engineering need for early and late stage research programs.  On a yearly basis we provide conditioned supernatants containing 100-200 distinct proteins (ranging from 50mg to 1g yields), as well as 10 to 20 cell-surface over-expression cell lines and occasional cellular assays.  In this talk I will discuss the recent workflow improvements that enable the efficient completion of our work.  Major recent adaptations include a wholly serum-free, chemically defined media system, novel 5L shake flasks, side-by-side employment of CHO transient and stable expression systems, and retroviral transduction.  In particular I will spend some time discussing our recent optimization of our CHO Transient expression methodology.