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Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves manipulating the DNA of organisms to transfer genes between different species. Key techniques include using restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sequences, gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments, and recombinant DNA technology to combine DNA from different sources and insert genes into host cells like bacteria or plant and animal cells. Genetic engineering is used in various applications such as studying gene expression, disease development, selecting beneficial traits, and biotechnology to solve problems through transgenic organisms.

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23 views

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves manipulating the DNA of organisms to transfer genes between different species. Key techniques include using restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sequences, gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments, and recombinant DNA technology to combine DNA from different sources and insert genes into host cells like bacteria or plant and animal cells. Genetic engineering is used in various applications such as studying gene expression, disease development, selecting beneficial traits, and biotechnology to solve problems through transgenic organisms.

Uploaded by

orangechicken473
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Genetic Engineering

• Branch of science that uses recombinant DNA techniques

• Series of techniques used to transfer genes from one organism to another • Used to produce organisms that
are useful to

humans • Technology that involves manipulating DNA of one organism to insert exogenous DNA (DNA from
another organisms)

Genetic Engineering Genetically engineered organisms are used in

various processes such as: - Studying the expression of a particular gene

Investigating cellular processes

Studying the development of a certain disease Selecting traits that might be beneficial to humans

Biotechnology

The use of genetic engineering to find solutions to problems

• Results to transgenic animals, plants and bacteria

To produce plants and animals with improved characteristics

• The use of living cells or its derivatives to make or


modify materials and processes useful to people

Recombinant DNA

• Result of genetic engineering

Newly generated DNA fragment containing exogenous DNA

Tools and Processes Used in Genetic Engineering

To study the genes, DNA tools can be used to manipulate the DNA and to isolate genes from the rest of the
genome. Enzymes - different enzymes are used to cut, copy, and

move segments of DNA


• Restriction enzymes - capable of snipping DNA molecules at a particular nitrogenous base sequences of a
different specie (host). Once part of the genome of the host species, the gene can function to produce

substances that it was not capable of producing.

Genome - total DNA present in the nucleus of a cell

(in the human genome → estimated 25,000-30,000 genes)

1. Restriction Enzymes
• For cutting DNA into fragments or

pieces that can be manipulated • Makes cut in the double-stranded DNA, creating fragments of various lengths,
which can be inserted in the host vector

• Cleaves DNA at specific sequences • Breaks the phosphodiester bonds in DNA

2. Gel Electrophoresis

• For separation, analysis and purification of DNA fragments

3. Recombinant DNA Technology

• Used to study individual genes

4. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)


• Used to make copies of small DNA sequences
5. DNA Ligase

DNA fragments from different sources can be used to create recombinant DNA by joining them together Creates
bonds between DNA fragments

6. DNA Probe
• A technique for identifying a segment of DNA

7. Gene Cloning
• Produces large numbers of identical recombinant DNA molecules to be used in genetically engineered
organisms

8. DNA Sequencing

• The process of determining nucleic acid sequence

9. Restriction

Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)

A techniques that uses variation in homologous DNA sequences.

• The purpose is to distinguish individuals, population and species

Genetic engineering involves:

1. removing a small section of a desirable gene from a cell

2. adding it to the gene structure of a vector to produce recombinant DNA

3. replacing the recombinant DNA into the cell


Spliced gene in the recombinant DNA will continue to produce its polypeptide product in the new cell,
transferring to that cell a genetic ability it lacked before.

Example:

The cut DNA can be inserted into any of the following commonly used hosts:

bacteria

yeasts

plant cells

cultured animal cells

Transformation

- the insertion of a foreign DNA (recombinant) into a host cell

Transfection

the insertion of a foreign DNA (recombinant) into a host cell that is derived from an animal (eukaryotic,
mammalian cells)

Vectors

used to insert recombinant DNA into cells


The most commonly used vectors are plasmids (circular DNA molecules that originated from bacteria), viruses,
and yeast cells.

Selectable Markers

- used to select for host cells that have taken up a foreign gene

• A selectable marker controls a gene that encodes a protein, which allows transformed cells to survive in toxic
environments, while non-transformed cells and tissues die. (responsible for the elimination of non-transformed
cells and permitting transformed cells)

fppt.co
Biotechnology has wide applications:

Expression vectors allow transgenes to be expressed in host cells

Pharming the use of transgenic plants or - animals to produce pharmaceuticals

Medically useful proteins


Transgenic crop plants can be adapted to their environments

Some medically useful products of

biotechnology:

Humulin

• Gene therapy

Human insulin - stimulates glucose uptake from blood in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
ALTEPLASE

ACTNASE 50 mg (29 milion) 41 nogen schon

• Tissue plasmogen activator - dissolves blood clots after heart attack and mild strokes

Colony stimulating factor - stimulates production of white blood cells in patients with cancer and AIDS

Potential agricultural applications:

Genes for drought tolerance

- to improve adaptation of

plants to environment factors


High lysine seeds; beta carotene in rice - improving nutritional traits of plants

• Delay of fruit ripening -

improving shelf life of fruits

after harvest

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