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For many years, insulin was obtained by purifying it from the pancreaspancreas
An endocrine gland which produces insulin.
of cows and pigs slaughtered for food. This was expensive, difficult and the insulin could cause allergic reactions.
Once the structure of human insulin had been found, in 1955, the cow and pig insulin could be chemically modified to be the same as human insulin. It is now made by genetically-engineered microbesmicrobes
Group of organisms of microscopic size that can be found in a single cell form or forming multicellular colonies. Most microbes are found in the domains of archaea and bacteria, but there are also some eukaryotes.
. They produce human insulin in a pure form that is less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Human insulin is produced in a very controlled and clean environment.
Genetically-engineered bacteriabacteria
Single-celled organism. Has a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm. Its DNA is loosely-coiled in the cytoplasm and there is no distinct nucleus.
are grown in large stainless steel fermentationfermentation
Process where microorganisms are cultured so that they reproduce, Increase in quantity and produce a desirable foodstuff or beverage. Also the primary means of microorganisms of producing ATP.
vessels. The vessel contains all the nutrients needed for growth.
When the fermentation is complete, the mixture containing the bacteria is harvestedharvested
Refers to a useful substance that has been extracted.
. The bacteria are filtered off and broken open to release the insulin they have produced. It is then purified and packaged into bottles for distribution.
All the equipment is kept sterile so that contamination cannot get into the medicine. Regular checks make sure that all the processes are working properly and the insulin meets the required quality.