GMOs

• Genetic engineering technique


  1. Removing a gene that codes for a desired characteristic from one organism

  2. Transferring the gene into another organism

  3. The desired gene is then expressed
• Genetically modified organism (GMO)


  The transgenic organism that contains recombinant DNA
• Producing genetically modified micro-organisms

  1. Use restriction enzymes to splice + remove the gene coding for a desired protein

  2. Make many copies of the gene using PCR

  3. Insert the copies into plasmids (to form recombinant plasmids)

  4. Transfer the plasmids into micro-organisms (eg. use gene gun)

  5. Grow the genetically modified micro-organisms in fermenters to multiply, producing large quantities of the new protein

  6. Isolate and purify the protein
• Medicinal proteins produced by genetically modified bacteria


  • Human insulin
  • Human blood clotting factors
• Producing genetically modified plants


  1. Insert desired gene from other organism into a plasmid

  2. Transfer plasmid to bacterial cell

  3. Use bacteria to infect plant cells, introducing the gene

  4. Stimulate the plant cell to multiply and grow into an adult plant

  5. Purify the desired protein from the plant tissues, or consume the plant to deliver the drug
• Drugs produced by modified plants

  • Human insulin
  • Cholera vaccine
• Producing genetically modified animals

  1. Inject the gene that codes for the desired protein into the nucleus of a zygote

  2. Implant the zygote into a surrogate animal

  3. Purify the desired protein from e.g. the milk of the genetically modified animal
• Proteins produced from the milk of genetically modified animals


  • Human blood clotting proteins
• Vector


  can carry + insert a gene into a host organism (often plasmids, viruses or bacteria)
• Transgenic organism


  An organism which contains recombinant DNA (DNA from more than one organism)
• Recombinant DNA


  A DNA molecule which contains DNA from more than one organism
• The genetic code is universal, allowing organisms to express genes from other organisms
• Creating a transgenic organism


  1. Isolate gene of interest

  2. Place gene in vector (e.g. plasmid)

  3. Vector inserts gene into host cell

  4. Identify host cells that have taken up vector

  5. Grow/clone cells expressing gene of interest