Frequently, markets for protein engineering are perceived in a somewhat distorted way in the academic world. I believe, for instance, we have to overcome the emphasis on the huge market for therapeutics. There, a modified protein is primarily a potential immunogen. What is fascinating about proteins is, that they are complex systems. Complex systems turn up wherever biology is really interesting.
Protein engineering provides one motif to seek a true understanding.
An advance in this field would be truly fundamental. I would be glad to append comments on this page.