Khalid Silos BSEd Sci 2

Microbiology and Parasitology

Assignment 2

1. What is recombinant DNA?

- Recombinant DNA are two DNA molecules gathered from two different species. Those two DNA
molecules are then inserted to a host cell or organism to create varying genetic combinations.
a. How is recombinant DNA made?
- There are various processes as to how recombinant DNA is made. These are, Transformation in
which a bacteria gets a DNA from its surrounding, Non-Bacterial Transformation, and Phage
Introduction. In the process of Non-Bacterial Transformation, a fragment of DNA is cut by a
restriction enzyme and is joined into the vector through DNA ligase which acts as a glue to the
recombinant DNA. In bacterial transformation, the naked DNA found in the environment is
absorbed by the bacteria. No bacteria are involved in Non-Bacterial Transformation as the
vector is directly injected to the nucleus of the host cell or being bombarded by DNA coated
particles through gene gun.
b. How does DNA recombinant work?
- We will know that a recombinant DNA works when a host cell expresses the genetic instructions
found in the recombinant gene.
c. Why is DNA recombinant important?
- Recombinant DNA is very important because the breakthroughs made by it have helped human
life in a positive sense especially in the field of agriculture and medicine.
d. Perceive how DNA recombinant impacts the future.
- If we harness the power of recombinant DNA in a positive sense, there will be lesser food
shortages around the world as we can now produce drought-resistant crops or even cultivate
foods in extremely cold places. The death rates would be lower as recombinant DNA can help
fight off diseases such as cancer and the notorious antibiotic resistant bacteria. These are but a
few things on how recombinant DNA could affect us in the future. Any abuse or malpractice to it
could lead our planet to ruination.
e. Which industries and fields will be shaped by recombinant DNA?
- Recombinant DNAs impacts will primarily focus on the field of Agriculture and Biology/Medicine.
f. How will recombinant DNA affect your health and lifestyle? The health and lifestyle of future
generations?
- Assuming that no complications will happen in recombinant DNA, the health and lifestyle of
humans today and on the near future will drastically improve as there are more food available
and lesser mortality rate.
2. Select one among the choices. Then describe in detail how it was produced. (Consider the
principle of the techniques and materials used in the production of this biotechnological
product.)
a. Insect resistant crops
b. Golden rice
 c. Diagnosis of infection of HIV (ELISA or Western bolt)
d. Recombinant heap B vaccine
e. Recombinant clotting factor VIII
f. Recombinant human growth hormone
g. Recombinant chymosine
h. Recombinant human insulin

Recombinant Human Insulin

First, the practitioners will cut the human DNA fragment responsible for producing insulin using
a restriction enzyme. A bacterium, typically Escherichia coli in its weakened state, will also be
harvested for its plasmid. A section of bacterial DNA will also be cut by a restriction enzyme and
then the human DNA and the bacterial DNA will be joined through DNA ligase. The bacteria will
serve as the vector or vessel of the recombinant DNA so as to not reject it by E. coli. The
recombinant organism will then be inserted to a fermentation tank to produce insulin. The
gathered insulin will be purified and then will be ready for human consumption.

3. What is protein engineering?

- Protein engineering is a method of changing a protein sequence to achieve a desired result. This
involves synthesis of new proteins, alter its structure and create different functions. (Sundar &
Dhanjal, 2019)
a. What are the different approaches in protein design?
- There are two possible approaches to protein design: Rational design and directed evolution
b. Give the principle of each approach.
- Rational Design is the strategy of creating new molecules with certain functionality, based upon
the ability to predict how the molecule’s structure will affect its behaviour through physical
models such as creating three-dimensional structures, peptide synthesis and others. (Wikipedia)
- Directed Evolution is an artificial process that utilizes selection to evolve molecules usually in
nucleic acids to have its desired characteristics. (Gold & Walker, 2013)
c. Once a protein undergone a protein engineering, how will you screen and select mutants
with enhanced properties?
- There are many approaches in screening the proteins. Conventional methods include trying
different media, temperature change, increasing the concentration of protein inducer, and
others. These methods help the scientists in identifying which proteins have enhanced
properties.
d. Give an example of an engineered protein
- Abatacept: A fusion protein that is usually used to reduce inflammatory symptoms.
- Zinc Finger Nuclease: engineered DNA restriction enzyme used to “cut” DNA strands.