Genetic Engineering

• One common method of genetic modification is the insertion of genes from one organism into another, often using a vector such as a plasmid.
• Genetics

  • a branch of biology that deals with heredity and variation of organisms.
  • the genetic make up and phenomena of an organism, type, group, or condition.
  • it is the study of how genes and how traits are passed down from one generation to the next.
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)


  • Double helix consists of 2 nucleotide chains
  • Each nucleotide consists of sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing based
  • It is a molecule that carries genetic info for development and function of an organism.
• Genes

  It is considered the basic unit of inheritance.

  It is passed down from parents to offspring and contain the info needed to specify physical and biological traits.
• Chromosomes


  • are threadlike structures made of protein and a single molecule of DNA that serve to carry the genomic information from one cell to another cell.
  • Chromosomes are located in nucleus in eukaryotes.
• What chromosomes carry in cells?

  DNA
• DNA is responsible for?

  build and maintain human structure
• Role of GENES to make you who you are:

  genes are segments of DNA which gives physical characteristics
• Plasmids


  • is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA.
  • Plasmids naturally exist in bacterial cells.
  • The genes are carried in plasmids, provide bacteria with genetic advantages such as: antibiotic resistance
• Restriction Enzymes


  molecular scissors that cut DNA into fragments
• Recombinant DNA


  the term used to describe the combination of 2 DNA strands that are constructed artificially.
• Genetic Engineering

  • It involves the use of molecular techniques to modify the traits of a target organism.
  • It is a process of making changes on the genetic code of an organism.
  • It is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome.
• The direct manipulation of an organism's genome using

  biotechnology
• Biotechnology


  is any technological application that makes use of biological systems, living organisms, and its components to create products and other technological systems with the aim of advancing the human condition
• The modification of traits involve:

  • INTRODUCTION of new traits into an organism
  • ENHANCEMENT of a present trait by increasing the expressions of the desired gene
  • ENHANCEMENT of a present trait by disrupting the inhibition of the desired gene's expressions
• What is the purpose of Genetic Engineering?

  To modify an organism's genetic material to achieve desired traits.

  It allows genes from one organism to be inserted into a cell of a different organism of a different species.
• rDNA (Recombinant DNA)

  Alteration in the segment of a DNA molecule.
• When Recombinant DNA is joined to other unrelated DNA in the organism, this is called?

  Gene Splicing
• Gene Splicing: The process of removing introns and joining exons to create a functional gene.
• Gene Splicing: tiny segments of a gene are taken out and replaced by different genes
• Transgenic Organism: An organism that has been modified to express a gene from another organism.
• Transgenic Organism: organims altered by genetic engineering trhough gene transfer
• Gene transfer

  • the movement of insertion of a gene into an organism that normally does not have a copy of that gene.
• Example of transgenic organism: GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) - Bt corn, which is engineered to produce a protein that kills insects that eat it
• Stages involved in Genetic Engineering

  1. Isolation
  2. Cutting
  3. Ligation and Insertion
  4. Transformation
  5. Expression
• Isolation

  • of a specific gene from donor where cells are broken open, and genetic probe are added.
  • Isolation of plasmid from bacterial cells.
• Vector is needed to transfer a gene into a host cell.
• Plasmid or viruses are example of vectors
• Vectors are organisms that are normally harmless but may help spread infection by transferring the genetic material from one host to another
• CUTTING - This stage in Genetic Engineering is where restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sites called restriction sites.
• LIGATION AND INSERTION - The joining of two pieces of DNA together using ligase.
• The cutting process produces two fragments with sticky ends which can be joined together using ligase.
• Restriction Enzyme - an enzyme that cuts DNA molecules at specific sequences of nucleotides known as recognition sequence.
• TRANSFORMATION - The insertion of recombinant DNA into a recipient cell (host) which can be done through electroporation or chemical treatment.
• Ligation: rejoining cut fragments of DNA and forming artificial recombinant molecule
• Transformation: recombinant DNA introduced into bacterial cell
• Expression

  • is getting the organism with the recombinant DNA to produce the desired protein.
  • When the protein is produced in large amounts it is isolated and purified.
  • Bacterial cell reproduces by Binary Fission.
  • Bacterial cell produces polypeptide coded for by the donor DNA.
• Genetically Modified Organisms: are the organims which result when a gene is taken from one organism to another in the laboratory for improving its functioning ability or for obtaining deisrable results.
• GMO are also called transgenic
• Genetic engineering

  • Crops can be modified to produce higher yields and have increased nutritional value, reducing famine and malnutrition
  • Crops can be modified to be resistant to pests and reduce pesticide use, this lowers production costs and decreases environmental damage
  • Enzymes used in industrial processes can be produced from GMO, this is very cost-effective
  • Reduces the risk of allergic reactions and is more effective
  • Vaccines can be produced in GMO tissues, these do not need refrigeration, making them more accessible to people living in rural areas
  • GMO guarantee a low-cost supply of some human medications