Which types of organisms are often genetically engineered for pharmaceuticals?

Bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells are commonly used in the production of pharmaceuticals due to their unique characteristics that facilitate the production of complex molecules.

Bacteria, particularly strains like Escherichia coli, are favored for their ability to replicate quickly and efficiently produce proteins. They are readily manipulated through genetic engineering, making them ideal for expressing genes coding for pharmaceutical proteins, enzymes, or antibodies.

Yeast, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also serve as a robust system for producing pharmaceuticals because of their eukaryotic cellular machinery, which allows for post-translational modifications that are crucial for the functionality of many proteins.

Mammalian cells are particularly important for producing complex proteins, including therapeutic antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals, as they mimic the human system closely and perform necessary modifications that bacteria and yeast may not be capable of.

Using these organisms, scientists can leverage their rapid growth, scalability, and ability to express complex proteins, making them fundamental in the biotechnology field related to pharmaceutical development.