Genetic engineering:

modelling the process

1. Find the gene for the desirable trait

1. Cut around the model DNA from your sheet

and secure in two circles
The gene for the
desirable trait is the
CRY gene, which
produces a protein
with insecticidal
properties.
It is found in the
bacterial chromosome
of Bacillus
thuringiensis.
Bacterial
chromosomes are
circular, so to model it
you will cut on the
dotted line around the
model chromosome
from Bacillus
thuringiensis and
secure it in a circle
using sticky tape.
A vector (DNA
molecule used to carry
foreign DNA into
another cell) is needed
to introduce the gene
for the desirable trait
from Bacillus
thuringiensis into
another cell.
We will use a plasmid
from Agrobacterium
tumefaciens.
Plasmids are loops of
DNA in bacteria, so to
model it you will cut
on the dotted line
around the model
plasmid from
Agrobacterium
tumefaciens and
secure it in a circle
using sticky tape.
2. Isolate the gene using enzymes

2. Cut at the ‘restriction enzyme’ sites in a

zigzag leaving ‘sticky ends’
Restriction enzymes
recognise specific DNA
sequences and cut
them in a predictable
way like a pair of
molecular scissors.
BamHI is a restriction
enzyme that cuts the
DNA sequence
GGATCC leaving 4
bases of single
stranded DNA.
You need to cut the
restriction enzyme
sites shown on your
model DNA using
scissors to leave the 4
bases of single-
stranded DNA known
as ‘sticky ends’.
3. Insert the gene into a plasmid vector from a
plant bacteria, making recombinant DNA

3. Stick the DNA fragment with the gene of

interest into the open plasmid (base pairing
along ‘sticky ends’) using sticky tape
 Recombinant DNA is
Plasmid from two strands of DNA
Agrobacterium joined together.
tumefaciens Another enzyme called
ligase is used to ligate
(stick) the gene for
the desirable trait into
the plasmid vector.

Gene encoding the

insecticidal protein from
Bacillus thuringiensis
 You will use sticky
Plasmid from tape to do play the
Agrobacterium role of ligase and join
tumefaciens the model DNA with
the gene for the CRY
protein into the model
plasmid, making
recombinant DNA.

Gene encoding the

insecticidal protein from
Bacillus thuringiensis
4. Insert the recombinant plasmid vector into
the plant bacteria, making the plant bacteria
genetically modified

4. Take this paper model of your recombinant

plasmid and put it into a yoghurt pot
(representing the plant bacteria)
The process of
inserting a vector into
a bacteria is known as
transformation.
The plasmid will be
coiled as it enters the
bacterial cell through
the cell membrane.
5. Try to throw the paper model of your
recombinant plasmid from your yoghurt pot
(plant bacteria) into the box (plant cell),
transferring the gene of interest into the plant.
The plant bacteria
Agrobacterium
tumefaciens transfers
the plasmid vector into
the plant cell, making
a genetically
engineered plant cell,
in which the gene for
the desirable trait will
be expressed.
This system for
introducing genes for
desirable traits into
plants is a bit lengthy,
but has a high success
rate.
6. Grow these plant cells on nutrient agar, then
the plantlets in soil, to create genetically
modified crop plants.

How many genetically modified plant cells did

your class successfully create by modelling the
process of genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering:

modelling the process