Biotechnology

Human Genome Project

• Sequence of all human
DNA (over 3 billion
base pairs)
• Around 20,000-25,000
genes
• Completed in early
1990s to 2003
• Multiple countries
participated (70+)
• Have completed
genomes of many
organisms, E. coli,
Drosophila, C. Elegans,
Yeast, Mice, Dog, etc.
 How do we get
these variations?

Bearded Dragon
Resource
Exzooberance
Dragon Depot
 Selective Breeding
• This is the oldest type of genetic
manipulation.
• Breeding organisms for a desired
characteristic
• Works very well in plants
• Also works with animals, but this can
be a more difficult (why?)
Inbreeding • Breeding organisms
with specific
characteristics
generation after
generation
• This does become
risky because
recessive traits can
surface that are
harmful, which can
lead to certain
disorders being
permanent if
inbreeding continues
Pure Breed Animals
• Dogs, Cats, Horses,
etc.
• End up with many
problems- joint
issues, blindness,
etc.
• “Mutts” are often
more healthy/
hardy
 Hybridization
• Breeding of two
different species
that results in an
offspring
• Actually happens in
nature (coydog and
dogote)
• Humans can do
this on purpose to
create desired
traits, common
example is the
mule
Real Hybrid Animals
 Manipulating Individual Genes

• First, DNA must be extracted

• Next, DNA must be cut into pieces
• Then, DNA can be separated
• Finally, DNA can be analyzed
• Or, the DNA pieces can be combined
for various purposes for making
organisms glow or making foods with
added GMO’s
 Restriction Enzymes

• Enzymes (proteins) used to chop up

DNA
• Each restriction enzyme cuts at a
specific site (molecular scissors)
Molecular biology
 Gel Electrophoresis
• Electrophoresis is a
process used to
separate
macromolecules such
as nucleic acids and
proteins according to
size and charge.
• Basic materials needed
include a power
supply, gel bed and
coverage.
 Practical Applications of DNA
Fingerprinting (aka Gels)
• Paternity & Maternity – Repeated segments in the
DNA, called VNTRs, are inherited from parents
and can be used to determine paternity and
maternity
 Practical Applications
• Criminal Identification & Forensics – DNA
isolated from blood, hair, skin cells or other
genetic evidence can be compared through
VNTR patterns with the DNA of a suspect
 Diagnosing Disorders
• DNA fingerprinting (gels) is used to diagnose
inherited disorders in both prenatal and newborn
babies in hospitals around the world.
• These disorders may include cystic fibrosis,
hemophilia, Huntington's disease, sickle cell anemia,
and many others.
• Early detection of such disorders enables the
medical staff to prepare themselves and the
parents for proper treatment of the child. In some
programs, genetic counselors use DNA fingerprint
information to help prospective parents
understand the risk of having an affected child.
 Recombinant DNA
• DNA from two sources
joined together to form
one new piece of DNA
• Join new piece of DNA and
a marker
• Marker is a way to identify
the recombinant DNA, like
resistance to antibiotics or
glowing
• Produces Transgenic
Organisms
Nature publishing company
• In other terms, you are
combining your original
DNA and a marker to
Recombinant DNA
• Is used to
produce human
insulin, clotting
factors and other
proteins cheaply

Cloning DNA in plasmids

 Neat Stuff!
Transgenic
Organisms

• The gene that makes fireflies glow has

been added to this plant
Prenhall
• Now it actually glows in the dark!
• We do this with jellyfish glowing too
 Genetically modified food
• Genetically
modified food
containing
pesticide, vitamin A,
or resistance to
weed killing
chemicals is
becoming more
and more
common.
Genetically modified foods
 Gene Therapy
• Techniques used to replace a faulty or
absent gene
• Possibly help people with disorders like
cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria among
others
• Using a virus to “infect” the cells with good
DNA genes has been tried, but is not
approved by the FDA
• Silencing genes that are dominant, like
Huntington’s disease, is also being
researched Gene therapy
 Cloning

• Clone: member of a population of identical cells

produced from a single cell
• Embryo cloning: coaxing an individual cell to split as
it can with identical twins naturally. Making the cell
undergo mitosis so it replicates.
• Therapeutic cloning: cloning an adult’s DNA in hopes
of creating tissues or organs the person can use.
Cloning someone elses DNA to make more organs
and proteins someone else could use. CNN

• Reproductive cloning: cloning of an adult’s DNA in

hopes of creating a genetically identical individual
which can grow to adulthood. Just like the films.
 Reproductive Clone
• Take an egg cell (stem cell)
• Remove the nucleus
• Add genetic material from another
adult cell
• Allow the cell to divide
• The embryo is placed in a foster
mother like in vitro fertilization to
grow and be born naturally
CBC News
 Stem Cells
• Needed for both reproductive and therapeutic
cloning
• Primitive cells that give rise to other types of cells
• Undifferentiated- all the same
• Have the ability to change into other types of cells
(specialized)
• Potential to treat many diseases, including
Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes and cancer.
• May also be used to regenerate organs
 Types of Stem Cells
• Embryonic stem cells - Stem cells taken from human
embryos. Potential to become any type of cell.
• Fetal stem cells- Stem cells taken from aborted
fetal tissue. Further along in development than
embryonic.
• Umbilical or baby teeth stem cells - Stem
cells taken from umbilical cords and baby teeth.
• Adult stem cells – Can be isolated from the
brain, fat, and other tissues, but are most
commonly taken from bone marrow.
 How it works
• Stem cells are injected into the area
of the body being targeted for tissue
regeneration
• As the stem cells come into contact
with growth chemicals in the body, the
chemicals program the stem cells to
grow into the tissue surrounding it.
 A lot left to learn!
• There are so many
things about genes we
don’t know
• Gene therapy is a
promising way to “fix”
genes
• There are many
advances that have
promise to help
individuals in the future.
• However, always keep in
mind the ethics!