NUCLEAR SCIENCE PROGRAMME SCHOOL OF APPLIED PHYSICS FACULTY

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA

SEMESTER I

SESI 2021/2022

ISU DAN KEGUNAAN ORGANISMA DIUBAHSUAI GENETIK

LMRB 1512

LECTURER
Dr. AHMAD BAZLI RAMZI

ASSIGNMENT 1
GM MICROBE ASSIGNMENT

NAME:
MOHAMMAD DANIAL BIN SAKARIA A175547
QUESTIONS
In all the lectures so far especially the GM Microbe module, you have learned the basics of
genetic engineering and how recombinant gene such as insulin gene from human is produced
by genetically modified microorganisms.
For the assessment of the GM Microbe topics, you are tasked to answer the following
assignment;

1. Please describe the following;

a) What is a gene? (1 mark)

= Gene is a segment (or a part) of DNA which gives out a characteristic of that organism.
b) How is a protein produced in the cells (1 mark)
= Protein is produced using the protein synthesis process. It involves transcription and
translation where at first, genetic instruction in DNA is converted into mRNA. Then that
mRNA is exported to the synthesized part in the cell and translated the mRNA to create protein
following the amino acids sequence.
c) Describe the process involved in gene/molecular cloning of a recombinant SARS-CoV-2
spike protein in bacteria (3 marks)
= The process involved at first is in the plasmid, where a part of DNA is spliced. Then
the gene of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, is inserted into the spliced plasmid, and glued together
to become a whole new complete plasmid with the spike protein gene. Then, the genetically
modified plasmid is inserted in the bacteria (usually e-coli). Then the bacteria that has been
introduced with the new plasmid is allowed to be cultured. If there is GM bacteria alive, they
will successfully form multiple colonies on the agar plate that showing that part of
characteristic.

Picture is just an example;

Blue colony contains the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein gene.
White colony is without it.
2. Carbios is one of the biotechnology companies that are developing innovative solutions
for plastics waste problems using genetic engineering technology. One of the
products/technologies they are advancing is the use of plastic-degrading proteins/enzymes for
PET plastic biorecycling. How do they produce the enzyme? Can we produce the same or
similar enzymes locally? What is needed to get the enzyme commercialized in Malaysia? Any
success story for any company that develops GM products in Asia? [5 marks]
= Carbios uses the enzyme that also “eats” PET is Cutinase enzyme is found from LCC
(leaf branch compost).
We can produce our own enzyme that specializes in hydrolizing plastics, because the same
enzyme found by Carbios is actually come from a compost.
The parts that is needed to commercialized the enzyme is to test first the enzyme and make a
product out of it. For an example, use that particular enzyme to degrade the plastic waste and
make a product such as shirts or shoes that come 100% from the degraded plastic. Next, make
a partnership with bigger brands such as Nike, or Puma (shoes and clothing company) to
promote the enzyme so that everyone knows.
In 2012, fellow researcher from UKM and UPM with the cooperation of MARDI
successfully developed a GM product which is superior Red Rice. The superior Red Rice have
low glycaemic index which is much more suitable for diabetic patient.
3. Private and public sectors in Malaysia mainly adopted and employed technology from
other countries. For instance, the GM product-based COVID-19 vaccine specifically the
AstraZeneca vaccine will be supplied from other countries such as India, Thailand and South
Korea. Despite this, GM products and genetic engineering technology remain
underdeveloped by local sectors not only at the manufacturing scale but also at R&D level.
As future leaders, what would you suggest addressing this issue?

Points to consider

a) Immediate solutions/suggestions to relevant stakeholders (government, private sectors,

academics, etc) [3 marks]
= First, grouping up all the scientist that specializes in GM field and finds a solution
towards a problem. Such as, the urgent problem nowadays is COVID-19. So to solve the
problem, the best way is to create a vaccine. Then, to create a vaccine, needs multiple people
that are specializes in that field to create it, which means, 10 brains is better than 2 brains.
Second, to solve something is we need money. Government should acknowledge the issue
and must support the team financially that helps to solve the problem.

b) Long-term solutions/suggestions to address lack of awareness and interest (2 marks)

= For long term solution, government should emphasize critically the issue where
youngsters nowadays prefer money over knowledge. Yes, we need money to live, but the
earth has thousands of problems that we need to solve to ensure our future generation a
happier live. So, if I would be the leader, I should address especially in GM field starting at
early stage of high school so that we can introduces them early the knowledge