Synthetic biology approaches: the next tools for improved protein production from CHO cells

Since the approval of the first biotherapeutic protein produced from CHO cells in 1987, researchers have been studying how to improve protein titer and product quality, mainly through cell line development and bioprocess optimization. With recent advances in genetic editing methods (CRISPR/Cas systems) together with large scale systems biology data, further improvements have been made. Here we outline recent progress in protein production from CHO cells through genetic editing and look to the future of improvements through synthetic biology approaches. We describe new work in the expansion of the genetic parts toolkit, including novel promoters, terminators, transcription factors, and genetic circuits, and how these synthetic parts will be used synergistically to continue improvements to protein production.