Mammalian cell expression systems are widely used for producing recombinant proteins, especially those requiring complex post-translational modifications. Here are some commonly used mammalian cell types and their characteristics: 

1.CHO Cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells): 

     ●      Characteristics: CHO cells are one of the most widely used cell lines for protein expression. They are highly adaptable, capable of growing in suspension culture, and have well-established protocols for transfection and selection. 

     ●      Applications: Frequently used for producing therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies due to their ability to perform glycosylation. 

2.HEK293 Cells (Human Embryonic Kidney 293 Cells): 

     ●      Characteristics: HEK293 cells are easy to transfect and grow rapidly. They can be cultured in both adherent and suspension formats and are known for high protein yield.

     ●      Applications: Commonly used for producing viral vectors, recombinant proteins, and studying protein function. 

3.BHK Cells (Baby Hamster Kidney Cells): 

     ●      Characteristics: BHK cells are suitable for growth in suspension and have a high transfection efficiency. They are less frequently used than CHO or HEK293 cells but can still be useful for specific applications. 

     ●      Applications: Often employed in the production of vaccines and other biologics. 

4.NIH 3T3 Cells: 

     ●      Characteristics: NIH 3T3 cells are fibroblast cells derived from mouse tissue. They are known for their stable growth and ability to grow in adherent culture. 

     ●      Applications: Used primarily for gene expression studies and protein production. 

5.MDCK Cells (Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells): 

     ●      Characteristics: MDCK cells are epithelial cells known for their ability to form tight junctions and polarize. They are useful for studying membrane proteins and producing certain types of recombinant proteins. 

     ●      Applications: Often used in virology and studies related to epithelial cell biology. 

6.COS Cells (CV-1 in Origin with SV40): 

     ●      Characteristics: COS cells are derived from monkey kidney cells and are known for their rapid growth and high transfection efficiency, especially with SV40-based vectors. 

     ●      Applications: Frequently used for transient expression assays and functional studies of proteins. 

Common mammalian cell lines used in expression systems include CHO cells for therapeutic proteins, HEK293 cells for viral vectors and recombinant proteins, BHK cells for vaccine production, NIH 3T3 cells for gene expression studies, MDCK cells for epithelial studies, and COS cells for transient expression assays. Each cell type has unique characteristics that make it suitable for specific applications in protein production and research. 

GenCefe provide one-stop solutions from codon optimization, gene synthesis, to protein expression and purification. In addition to four conventional expression systems of bacterial, yeast, insect cell, and mammalian cell, we have also developed a patented cell free expression technology, which is suitable for the production of difficult proteins such as toxic proteins and membrane proteins.