Electrocompetent cells or electrocompetent bacteria are chemically treated bacterial cells that are able to take up foreign DNA molecules when placed in an electric field through a process called electroporation. Electrocompetent cells are commonly used in molecular cloning for transformations of plasmids or recombinant DNA. The global electrocompetent cells market has become an integral part of the biotechnology industry as it supports various downstream applications like protein expression, generation of transgenic plants & animals, DNA sequencing techniques and production of monoclonal antibodies.
The global electrocompetent cells Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.07 Bn in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 10% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030, as highlighted in a new report published by Coherent Market Insights.
Market Dynamics:
The increase in demand for protein expression and production of monoclonal antibodies remains the key driver propelling growth of the electrocompetent cells market. Monoclonal antibodies find wide applications in disease diagnosis and treatment with many new antibodies currently under development and clinical trials. Further, electrophoresis has emerged as a commonly used molecular cloning technique for introducing exogenous DNA into prokaryotic and eukaryotic host cells. The high efficiency, precision and reproducibility of electroporation compared to chemical treatment methods continue to support its preference among researchers and bio-pharmaceutical companies. However, the process of electroporation requires specialized equipment and cell lines along with skilled professionals, which adds to overall cost.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Electrocompetent cells allow for easy transformation of DNA into bacterial cells, which is useful for cloning and molecular biology applications. They are cost-effective and have high transformation efficiencies. Modern electrocompetent cell lines can uptake DNA at efficiencies over 1×109 transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA.
Weakness: Different bacterial strains and types exhibit varying transformation efficiencies with electrocompetent cells. Certain genetic mutations and modifications that alter cell wall structure can reduce transformation abilities. The electroporation process also kills a portion of bacterial cells.
Opportunity: Growing applications of molecular cloning, protein expression, mutagenesis and synthetic biology are driving demand for electrocompetent cells. Customized cell lines are being developed with improved characteristics for specialized research areas. Emerging markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America offer new opportunities.
Threats: Strict regulations around use of genetically modified organisms pose compliance challenges. Supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted cell line production. Alternative DNA transformation techniques using chemical treatments competition could erode market share.
Key Takeaways
The global Electrocompetent Cells market is expected to witness high growth over the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. The market size for 2024 is projected to reach US$ 2.07 billion, indicating a CAGR of around 10% during the forecast period.
Regional analysis: North America currently dominates the electrocompetent cells market, supported by robust research funding and a large biotechnology industry. Asia Pacific is poised to be the fastest growing regional market, driven by increasing R&D investments and infrastructure development in countries such as China, Japan, and India. Production and consumption is also growing significantly across developing nations in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa.
Key players: Key players operating in the electrocompetent cells market include Merck KGaA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Promega Corporation, Takara Bio, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Lucigen Corporation, New England Biolabs, Illumina, Qiagen N.V., and Agilent Technologies. These leading suppliers offer specialized cell lines tailored for varied applications in gene cloning, protein expression, mutagenesis and synthetic biology research.
