Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Unit “BGEU”

The Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Unit (BGEU) has been established for R&D and process development for lab scale and pilot scale production of recombinant proteins of commercial importance especially recombinant biopharmaceutical proteins. Five important recombinant therapeutic proteins: interferon alfa2b, interleukin 12, interferon gamma, growth hormone and granulocyte colony stimulating factor have been successfully produced at lab scale level and R&D for production of some of them at limited pilot scale level have been achieved. This was through many projects from Academy of science, STDF and other funding agents. This unit is planned to be an interface between scientific research and biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. One of the main themes of BGEU is the development of molecular diagnostic assays for detection of infectious and genetic diseases.

In addition, the experience of the staff and facilities in the GEBU enables for organizing training programs in cloning, protein expression, molecular diagnosis and basic molecular techniques.

To be a leading national scientific and technological research center adhering to international standards, able to exploit the vast opportunities offered by the molecular biology and biotechnology development.

To produce high quality research concerning biopharmaceuticals production and molecular diagnosis fields, its industrial applications and the training of specialized human resources, contributing to the development of science and industrial biotechnology in Egypt.

A- Recombinant proteins production research

1.  Characterization and cloning of genes using different bioinformatics strategies.
2.  Recombinant protein production in E. coli (lab and limited pilot scale fermentation -5 liters).
3.  Chromatographic purification and refolding of recombinant proteins.
4.  Quality assessment of recombinant proteins concerning activity, purity and biochemical criteria.

B- In And out patients molecular diagnosis services (in molecular diagnosis unit in GEBU)

Routine molecular diagnosis for infectious and genetic diseases using PCR, real time-PCR, reverse hybridization and other techniques (HCV, HCV genotyping, HBV, TB, CMV, IL28B, Philadelphia chromosome, CF and many others).

C- Molecular diagnosis research

1. Customized research for molecular characterization and diagnosis of target genes of genetic and infectious diseases (to be arranged through direct contact).
2. Development of real time PCR Kits for quantitative detection of pathogens (virus, bacteria, parasite) and genetic diseases.

The experience of the staff and facilities in the GEBU enables for organizing training programs in in molecular cloning and characterization of genes, molecular diagnosis, Bioinformatics, recombinant protein expression and purification in addition to recombinant and DNA vaccines development.

Prof. Mohamed A. Shemis
Head of Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Address :Warak El-Hadar, Kornish El-Nile
P.O. Box : 30 Imbaba, 12411-Giza, Egypt
Cell: +2 0100 165 1842
Fax: +2 23540 82 15
E-mail: m.shemies@tbri.gov.eg – mohamedshemis@gmx.com

Prof. Mohamed A. Saber
Emeritus professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Address :Warak El-Hadar, Kornish El-Nile
P.O. Box : 30 Imbaba, 12411-Giza, Egypt
Cell: +2 0100 147 2845
Fax: +2 23540 82 15
E-mail: maasaber@yahoo