Find out and make a list of proteins used as therapeutic agents. Find other applications of proteins (e.g., Cosmetics etc.)

Therapeutic proteins used in medicine

• Insulin peptide hormone for diabetes management examples recombinant human insulin analogs lispro and glargine

• Erythropoietin glycoprotein hormone to treat anemia examples epoetin alfa (Epogen)

• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to manage chemotherapy-induced neutropenia examples filgrastim (Neupogen) pegfilgrastim (Neulasta)

• Monoclonal antibodies targeted therapies examples trastuzumab (Herceptin) rituximab (Rituxan) adalimumab (Humira)

• Enzymatic therapies examples asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukemia dornase alfa (Pulmozyme) for cystic fibrosis

• Coagulation factors examples factor VIII concentrates for hemophilia A factor IX concentrates for hemophilia B

• Cytokines and interferons examples interferon alfa for hepatitis C interleukin-2 for renal cell carcinoma

Other applications of proteins

• Cosmetic industry

  • Collagen elastin and keratin used in anti-aging skin care creams and hair treatments

  • Soy protein peptides as skin and hair conditioning agents in personal care products

  • Nutricosmetic peptides from food sources acting as antioxidant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents

• Food industry

  • Protein-based edible films and coatings from casein zein gluten improving shelf life and barrier properties

  • Whey and soy proteins as emulsifiers foaming and gelling agents in processed foods

  • Bioactive peptides as nutraceuticals promoting health benefits such as antihypertensive and antioxidant effects

• Adhesive and bioproducts

  • Protein adhesives from animal hides and plant proteins used in plywood wood joints and packaging applications

  • Protein-based bioplastics and fibres using soy gluten wheat gluten and casein for sustainable materials

• Biomedical materials

  • Collagen and fibrin scaffolds for tissue engineering and wound healing dressings

  • Albumin coated nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery systems

• Water treatment and agriculture

  • Plant protein flocculants for turbidity removal in water purification

  • Protein hydrolysates as biofertilizers and soil conditioners to promote plant growth