Transcript citylab academy - University of Massachusetts Medical School

Health Care Pathways:
Connecting Education with Careers
Friday April 11, 2008
Biotech’s
GREEN EGGS & HAM
Coming SOON to a supermarket pharmacy near you!
Gloria Vachino, MS
CityLab Academy
Instructor, Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences
Boston University School of Medicine
SUMMARY
Introduction to Biotechnology
- explanation of how biotech industry emerged and
introduction to core science of biotechnology
-applications of biotechnology/ significance of green eggs
and ham
Bringing Biotech into the Classroom
-types of resources
-approaches to building a foundation
Career Paths in Biotech
-educational requirements for jobs in biotech
-types of jobs
INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECH
How did the Biotechnology industry get started?
Biotech industry emerged in 1970’s around the discovery of methods
that allowed human genes to be transferred (“cut and pasted”) into
bacteria.
First commercial application of gene transfer:
▪ Human gene for insulin was transferred into bacterial cells.
▪ Bacteria containing the human insulin gene manufactured human
insulin.
▪ Process of fermentation allowed large quantities of human insulin to
be produced for the first time ever.
What is a gene?
HUMAN CELL
www.nia.nih.gov
How is it possible for bacteria to
manufacture human proteins?
Genes are made of DNA.
DNA is constructed of 4 types of building blocks
(nucleotides), which are the same across
species.
Genes provide instructions- in DNA language- on
how to make proteins. The vast majority of
species use the same genetic code to interpret
these instructions.
The genetic code specifies which sequence of
nucleotides corresponds to a particular amino
acid. (Amino acids are the building blocks of
proteins).
Thus, bacterial cells carrying the human gene for
insulin:
-have the instructions for making human insulin
-can manufacture insulin because they use the
same genetic code as human cells
publications.nigms.nih.gov
Biotech Industry’s Production of Human Insulin by Bacteria
Recombinant DNA Technology (Genetic Engineering)
Recombinant DNA technology permits:
1) gene cloning (making multiple copies of a gene) and
2) production of the protein encoded by the gene
1) Human gene for insulin is
merged with DNA from
bacteria.
2) “Hybrid” DNA
(referred to as
4) Bacterial
cells produce
recombinant DNA) is
transferred to
recombinant
human insulin.
bacterial cell.
+
Human
gene for
insulin
bacterial
DNA
Bacterial cell
3) Bacteria multiply
http://www.littletree.com.au/dna.htm, http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG/inserting.html,
http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/ge/what/insulin.cfm,
http://www.ctbiobus.org/curriculum/pdfs/lightingthemagiclantern_04.pdf
Is Recombinant DNA Technology Still Used Today in the
Biotech Industry?
YES!
Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology:
production of genetically engineered / recombinant protein drugs
Examples: interferon, blood clotting proteins, growth hormones
EPO, Avastin, Xolair, Remicade, Humulin (insulin)
genetically engineered animals (referred to as transgenic animals) for
drugs, food and as models of human diseases
 gene therapy
 vaccines (e.g. hepatitis B)
 genetically engineered plants (referred to as transgenic plants)
Recombinant DNA technology is also used to make multiple copies of
genes for:
Please note that other technologies also allow
 DNA fingerprinting
copying of DNA ; e.g. PCR
 DNA sequencing
-Human Genome Project
- identify genes involved in disease processes
- study evolutionary trends
…..and the Green Eggs and Ham?
The transfer of genes into cells is a hit-or-miss process. The ability to
easily identify which cells have successfully taken up a gene of interest
is extremely important.
A popular method of tracking transferred genes relies on Aequorea
victoria, a jellyfish that carries the gene for GFP (green fluorescent
protein).
When a gene of interest is linked to the GFP gene, cells that take up the
linked genes glow green under blue light.
http://userpages.umbc.edu/~jili/ench772/index.html
Thus, GFP provides a “visual report” on the location of the gene of
interest.
Example of how the GFP method benefits gene transfer processes:
When creating transgenic animals, the GFP method makes it possible to
determine which cells and tissues carry a gene of interest.
 
Biotech’s Green Eggs and Ham
Applications of transgenic animals:
 producers of recombinant protein drugs
(e.g. chicken eggs, dairy animals)
 source of organs for transplantation
(e.g. pigs)
 source of vaccines (e.g. chicken eggs)
http://www.scq.ubc.ca/the-new-macdonald-pharm/
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/
01/10/these_little_piggies_were_born_green/?rss_id=
Boston+Globe+--+Today's+paper+A+to+Z
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://quad.b
ic.caltech.edu/~fraserlab/people/lansford/research/im
ages/GFP%2520retro%2520embryo%25206in%2520
copy.jpg&imgrefurl=http://quad.bic.caltech.edu/~fraser
lab/people/lansford/research/research.html&h=527&w
=900&sz=74&hl=en&start=25&tbnid=kzGf_jZkuAiDo
M:&tbnh=85&tbnw=146&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgfp
%2Bin%2Bchicken%2Bembryo%26start%3D20%26g
bv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asiapacific/4605202.stm
BRINGING BIOTECH INTO THE CLASSROOM
Resources
Online
▪ written materials for middle school and high school levels
▪ images and animations
Websites listed in “Building a
▪ exercises with paper & scissor models
Foundation” slide below
▪ simple lab experiments for classroom
Online documentaries
The Secret of Life http://www.pbs.org/wnet/dna/episode1/#
Cracking the Code of Life http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/
Books
▪ Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium, Ellyn Dougherty, EMC
Paradigm Publications 2007 http://www.skipwagner.net/smbiotech/bioteched.htm
▪ Shoestring Biotechnology: Budget-Oriented High Quality Biotechnology
Laboratories for Two-Year College and High School, National Association of
Biology Teachers http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/index.html
Kits
▪ educational companies / lab supply companies http://www.carolina.com/
 
Resources (continued)
Hands-on lab workshops and other supplementary resources
CityLab Boston University
www.bumc.bu.edu/citylab
▪ conducts hands-on lab workshops for middle and high school students
▪ in partnership with MBC (Massachusetts Biotechnology Council):
- staffs MobileLab that travels to schools state-wide
- conducts BioTeach program to train teachers
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MBC) www.massbio.org
▪ awards funds to help schools incorporate biotechnology into curriculum
http://massbio.org/massbioed/community_labawards.php?bc=labawards
▪ provides information on biotech careers, salaries and educational
requirements: http://massbio.org/directory/careers/descriptions_qa.html
▪ lists publications on biotech for K-12
http://massbio.org/directory/resources/publications.html
PBS http://www.pbs.org/teachers/search
BRINGING BIOTECH INTO THE CLASSROOM
Building a Foundation
I) FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Cells, Genes and DNA
▪ cell structure and function/ eukaryotes vs. prokaryotes
▪ relationship between chromosomes, genes and DNA and proteins
http://www.cellsalive.com/toc.htm
DNA Structure / Function
▪ structure of nucleotides, DNA’s “building blocks”
▪ how 2 chains of DNA’s double helix bind to each other
▪ role of genes / gene expression
▪ DNA sequence / The Human Genome Project
▪ protein synthesis / RNA / the genetic code
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/teachers/regaction.cfm
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Publications/FactSheet_Genes.htm
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/dnaintro/index.html
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/WYW/wkbooks/SFTS/activity6.html
http://faculty.etsu.edu/MILLERH/Workshop/DNA%20structure.htm
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/#trans
http://www.genomicseducation.ca/educationResources/grade_12/biological_molecules.asp
the above websites range from written information to paper/scissor exercises and simple lab
experiments. Many emphasize inquiry-based learning.
Building a Foundation (continued)
II) CONCEPT OF USING DNA AS A “TOOL” IN BIOTECH
▪ assist students with investigating how knowledge of DNA structure and
function has allowed DNA to be used as a tool.
http://www.biotechinstitute.org/what_is/
http://www.dna.gov/dna_resources/generalresources
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Speaking_Language_rDNA.html
http://www.bio-rad.com/cmc_upload/Literature/54133/4110034B.pdf &
http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/content/vol5/issue3/teaching/01/index.html
(text and simple lab exercises that can be tailored to grade level)
▪ have students explore the uses of DNA in biotechnology
Medicine: recombinant protein drugs, diagnostic tests, genome sequencing
http://www.dna.gov/dna_resources/generalresources
http://biobasics.gc.ca/english/View.asp?x=782#drugs
http://www.koshlandscience.org/exhibitdna/inf03.jsp#
Agriculture: a) transgenic plants that withstand pests, disease, drought
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/exist/
b) transgenic animals with desirable traits
http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/margawati.html
Forensics: http://www.koshlandscience.org/exhibitdna/crim01.jsp
Biofuels: http://genomicsgtl.energy.gov/education/index.shtml
Building a Foundation (continued)
Also important in preparing students for careers in biotechnology (and
other applied sciences) is teaching them how to:
▪ collect data
▪ write lab reports
▪ maintain lab notebooks
▪ draw and interpret graphs (by hand using graph paper and using
computer software e.g. Excel)
▪ do basic math without a calculator!
▪ tackle word problems
▪ apply the scientific method
Career/ Education Options in Biomedical Science / Biotechnology
for High School Graduates
EDUCATION
Certificate
Associate’s
Degree
Bachelor’s
Degree
JOBS
Lab Assistant
Manufacturing Technician/Associate
Environmental Technician
Glasswasher
Shipper/Receiver
Aseptic Fill Technician
Quality Control (QC) Technician
Quality Assurance (QA)
Documentation
Coordinator/Associate
Research Assistant
Aseptic Fill Technician
Quality Control (QC)
Analyst
Lab Technician
Please note the overlap in credentials needed for some jobs. Many variables influence an employer’s
decision to hire individuals who do not meet minimal educational requirements. For a complete list of jobs
and job descriptions, visit: http://massbio.org/directory/careers/descriptions_ops.html#16,
http://massbio.org/directory/careers/overview_s.html,http://www.careervoyages.gov/biotechnology-main.cfm