What is protein expression?

Protein expression refers to the process by which proteins are synthesized, modified, and regulated in living organisms. In biotechnology and research, protein expression often means the artificial production of specific proteins in host cells, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells, using recombinant DNA technology. This process is crucial for studying protein function, developing pharmaceuticals, and producing enzymes or other protein-based products. The choice of expression system depends on factors like the protein's complexity and the need for post-translational modifications.