Transcript Genetic Engineering

Biotechnology
DNA technology can be used in forensics, agriculture,
and medicine
Genetic Engineering
• aka .. Genetic Modification
» Make changes in DNA code by Inserting or
Deleting specific genes
» Use modern molecular biology techniques.
1) Recombinant DNA
• Aka .. Gene Splicing
• made by combining DNA from more than
one source
(often from very different species)
2) Gel electrophoresis
• Uses an electric current
• smaller fragments – faster
• larger ones – slower
• DNA fragments move to
positive end
+
-
A
B
DNA on
murder
weapon
3)Transgenic organisms
carries a foreign gene, deliberately inserted into its genome.
 transgenic animal
 Mice--- immune system
more like humans- can
study them
 Livestock --- leaner
meat

transgenic plant


Soybeans/corn/crops --- to
produce insecticide so doesn’t
have to be sprayed
Also:




Improved Nutritional
Quality
Insect Resistance
Disease Resistance
Drought Tolerance
4) Cloning
Clone --- genetically identical
copy
replacing the nucleus of an unfertilized ovum with the
nucleus of a body cell from the organism.
first adult mammal cloned
was Dolly in 1997
5) DNA Fingerprinting
• Compare genetic similarities and differences between
individuals.
• often used to ID source of blood / tissue found at crime
scenes.
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
– Used to make several copies of DNA
– Each PCR cycle doubles the number of DNA copies
– After only 30 PCR cycles, the original DNA sequence is
copied more than 1 billion times!
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
512
6) Gene Therapy
• the insertion of normal or genetically altered genes into cells
• usually to replace defective genes (cancer & genetic
disorders)
Eye cancer
DNA Finger Printing Activity