The transport mechanism in Taxus cell culture was investigated with the intent to optimize the downstream process of paclitaxel production. Bioinformatics analysis, inhibitor testing and investigation of an alternative method of paclitaxel quantification were conducted. A homolog to the mammalian MDR protein in Taxus cells was identified as a potential paclitaxel transporter. The transport mechanism was also studied using transport protein inhibitors, and results show that the concentration of verapamil affects the direction of paclitaxel transport. Uv-vis spectroscopy was also studied as a potential substitution for UPLC to quantify paclitaxel; however, since a standard component in cell media interferes with the assay, Uv-vis spectroscopy cannot be used as a quantification substitution.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Harley Cabada, Mariana
• Yang, Huilin

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042717-093849

Advisor

• Roberts, Susan Celia

Year

• 2017

Sponsor

• NSF

Date created

• 2017-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright