INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY Unit 1

DEFINITION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology - the science of using living organisms or the products of living organisms for the benefit of humans and their surroundings.

DOCUMENTARY: THE BIOTECH REVOLUTION

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuAus79n5ek

LESSON 1 – INTRODUCTION TO BIOTECHNOLOGY History of Biotechnology -Classical vs. Modern Interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology Ethical concerns in biotechnology

HISTORY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

What is the difference between classical and modern biotechnology?

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Our ancient ancestors used two classic biotechnology techniques:

Fermentation – use of microorganisms to make food and beverages. Selective Breeding – breeding of animals and plants with desirable traits.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Do you remember fermentation?

http://people.cst.cmich.edu/schul1te/animations/fermentation.swf

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY -FERMENTATION

Existence of micro-organisms & their role in contaminating food are recent discoveries, dating back 200 years ago.

Bread baking Earliest breads were unleavened (pita bread). Fermented dough probably discovered by accident. Egyptians and Romans both used fermented dough to make a lighter, leavened bread.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - FERMENTATION

Lactic Acid and Acetic Acid Fermentation 5,000 BC, milk curd to make cheese was made in Mesopotamia. 4,000 BC, Chinese used fermentation to make yogurt, cheese, and vinegar.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - FERMENTATION

Beverages

Beer Making Egyptians probably began beer making around 6,000 BC. Babylonians used barley to make beer. Brewing became an art form by the 14th century AD.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY - FERMENTATION

Wine making Originated in valley of the Tigris River,

date unknown. First made by accident with grapes

contaminated by yeast. Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans made wine.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY – SELECTIVE BREEDING

Animals Babylonians, Egyptians, & Romans

selectively bred livestock. Romans left written descriptions of their

livestock selective breeding practices. British white cattle (on right) can trace its

ancestry back to the Roman empire.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY – SELECTIVE BREEDING

Plants Superior seeds, cuttings, & tubers have been selected for 1,000’s of years to save for the next planting. Sumarians, Egyptians, & Romans collected & traded superior seeds & plants. (On right) Evolutionary changes in corn from 5,000 BC to 1,500 AD in Mexico.

CLASSICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Classical biotechnology took advantage of natural microbial processes or artificially selected phenotypes. Genetics of these selected organisms proceeded naturally.

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Advances in genetics & molecular biology led to innovations & new applications in biotechnology.Modern biotechnology uses

- Genetic Engineering

- Gene Cloning

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Genetic Engineering - Ability to manipulate DNA of an organism. Manipulation due to Recombinant DNA Technology. Recombinant DNA technology combines DNA from different sources. Gene Cloning –The ability to identify and reproduce a gene of interest.

MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Recombinant DNA technology has dominated modern biotechnology. Has led to: Production of disease resistant plants. Genetically engineered bacteria to degrade environmental pollutants & to produce antibiotics. Advances in human healthcare through the Human Genome Project.

QUESTION People have been selectively breeding plants and animals for thousands of years. None of our food crops look anything like their wild ancestors. Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and kale all were bred from one species of wild mustard. If it weren’t for humans selectively crossing plants together, there would be no broccoli on earth! People who are opposed to genetically engineering crops often say that people shouldn’t mess with nature. Do you think that using DNA technology to create new kinds of plants is different from what people have been doing to thousands of years? Why or why not? Isn't modifying plants genetically just an example of artificial selection ?

ACTIVITY Work in Groups of 4 to answer the question posed.

Get a computer and research the following websites:

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_30

http://www.shmoop.com/plant-evolution-diversity/biotechnology.html

http://www.globalization101.org/genetically-modified-organisms/

http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2008/09/19/genetic-modification-explained/

After reading, work with your group to create a response to the question. Be sure to include 1) how selective breeding and genetic modification are alike and different 2) which side of the argument you support and why.

We will have each group present their responses and will follow this with a class discussion

BIOTECHNOLOGY – INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE What disciplines contribute to the science of biotechnology?

BIOTECHNOLOGY – INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

The roots of biotechnology are formed by:

- Human, animal,& plant physiology - Mathematics

- Molecular & cell biology - Immunology

- Statistics - Microbiology

- Biochemistry - Genetics

- Physics - Chemical Engineering

- Computer Science

BIOTECHNOLOGY – INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

The “root” subjects pieced together can lead to genetic engineering approaches with applications in: Drug development Environmental and Aquatic Biotechnology Agricultural Biotechnology Forensics and Detection Medical Biotechnology Regulatory Approval and Oversight.

BIOTECHNOLOGY - INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE

Example of interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology. Microbiology research discovers a gene or gene product of interest. Biochemical, molecular, & genetic techniques used to determine the role of the gene. Bioinformatics (computer data bases) used to study gene sequence or analyze protein structure. Gene then used in a biotechnology application.

BIOTECHNOLOGY – ETHICAL CONCERNS "I belong to a new underclass, no longer determined by social status or the color of your skin. We now have discrimination down to a science." Vincent Freeman - GATTACA

BIOTECHNOLOGY –ETHICAL CONCERNS

What are the ethical concerns in biotechnology?

BIOTECHNOLOGY – ETHICAL CONCERNS Powerful applications and potential promise of biotechnology

raises ethical concerns.

The wide range of legal, social, and ethical issues are cause for debate and discussion among scientists, the general public, clergy, politicians, lawyers, and many others.

Some questions of concern: Should human cloning be permitted? Will genetically modified foods be harmful to the environment? Should we permit the development of synthetic genomes?

BIOTECHNOLOGY – ETHICAL CONCERNS

We will be looking at & discussing some of the ethical concerns in biotechnology in our next lesson & throughout the course

Our goal is not to tell you what to think but to empower you with the knowledge you can use to make your own wise decisions.

ACTIVITY Read how to create a concept map.

http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/lls/students/research_resources/conceptmap.html

Create a concept map which incorporates the following terms:

Agricultural biotechnology Animal

Applications Beverage making

Biochemistry Bioinformatics

Biotechnology Bread making

Classical biotechnology Computer Science

DNA recombinant technology Drug development

Environmental biotechnology Ethical

Fermentation Forensics

Gene cloning Genetic engineering

Immunology Interdisciplinary science

Issues in biotechnology Lactic/acetic acid fermentation

Legal Medical biotechnology

Microbiology Molecular biology

Plant Root sciences

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – LESSON 1

1. Define biotechnology.

2. Describe the two techniques used in classical biotechnology.

3. Define the two techniques used in modern biotechnology.

4. How are classical and modern biotechnology alike and different?

5. Explain why biotechnology is an interdisciplinary science.

6. Why is the discussion of ethical concerns important in biotechnology?

LESSON 2 ETHICS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY The use of DNA technology is moving forward faster than any other area of biology. In many ways it can be said that the science in this area is moving forward faster than the moral or legal parts. There needs to be processes available in which ethical decisions can be made to reflect the different views of groups within the society of humans.

FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

1. Recognize an Ethical Issue Could this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group? Does this decision involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two "goods" or between two "bads"? Is this issue about more than what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?

FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING2. Get the Facts What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the situation? Do I know enough to make a decision? What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are some concerns more important? Why? What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? Have I identified creative options?

FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

3. Evaluate Alternative Actions

Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:

Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)

Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)

Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)

Which option best serves the community as a whole, not just some members? (The Common Good Approach)

Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)

FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

4. Make a Decision and Test It

Considering all these approaches, which option best addresses the situation? If I told someone I respect-or told a television audience-which option I have chosen, what would they say?

FRAMEWORK FOR ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

5. Act and Reflect on the Outcome

How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?

How did my decision turn out and what have I learned from this specific situation?

ACTIVITY Write a 5 paragraph persuasive essay agreeing or disagreeing with the following statement.

A patient who has tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene for breast cancer has refused to discuss test results with her family because she views this as an invasion of her privacy. Does the physician have the right or obligation to notify family members who make be at risk of developing breast cancer?

ACTIVITY – RESEARCH FOR PERSUASIVE ESSAY

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA

http://virtualmentor.ama-assn.org/2009/09/ccas1-0909.html

http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2013/10/01/you-have-a-genetic-disorder-should-your-family-be-told-they-too-might-carry-the-harmful-mutation/#.U5r1zrHwopU

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW- LESSON 2 What are the steps in the ethical decision making process?

Define each of the ethical approaches when you evaluate alternative action.

Discuss the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and the risk of developing breast cancer if the genes are present?

LESSON 3 FIELDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGYMicrobial Biotechnology Agricultural BiotechnologyAnimal Biotechnology Forensic Biotechnology Bioremediation Marine Biotechnology Medical Biotechnology

ACTIVITY- FIELDS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY Individually read the Powerpoint slides for the fields of biotechnology.

Respond to the questions on your handout regarding the information on the Powerpoint.

Individually read each of the articles pertaining to each of the biotech fields.

We will create 7 groups. Each group will be in charge of 1 of the biotech fields.

In your group, prepare a synopsis of the article that pertains to your biotech field.

Present the appropriate Powerpoint slide and article synopsis to the class.

ACTIVITY - ARTICLES http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120904193054.htm

Microbial biotech

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121128132301.htm

Agricultural biotech

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130313182140.htm

Animal biotech

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130113201136.htm

Forensic biotech

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130408152733.htm

Bioremediation

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130612132543.htm

Marine biotech

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130214132625.htm

Medical biotech

MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Microbes have been used in many ways that affect society.

Manipulating microbial DNA has created organisms that manufacture food.

Manipulated microbes are used to make

- enzymes

- vaccines

- antibiotics

- insulin and growth hormones

- detectors for bioterrorism

- decontamination processes for industrial waste

AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY Plants have been bioengineered for

- Drought resistance

- Cold tolerance

- Pest resistance

- Greater food yield Plants have been used for molecular pharming. Plants are bioengineered to produce recombinant proteins. Downside: Gene transfer from engineered plants to non- target plants in the environment has produced some super weeds.

ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

Goats, cattle, sheep, and chickens are used to produce antibodies & other medically needed proteins. Transgenic animals become bioreactors. They contain genes from another sources and produce these proteins in their milk. Animals are used in “knockout” experiments. Genes are disrupted and much is learned about gene function. Many animals have been cloned; possible uses for using cloned animals for genetically engineered organs have been explored.

FORENSIC BIOTECHNOLOGY DNA fingerprinting, methods to detect unique DNA patterns are being used in:

- Law enforcement

- Paternity testing

- Poaching of endangered species

- Tracking AIDS, Lyme disease, West Nile virus, TB.

- Testing of food products to see if food substitutes are being used.

BIOREMEDIATION

Microbial processes are used to degrade natural and man made substances. Bioremediation is used in the clean up of massive oil spills; cleans up shorelines three times faster than traditional clean up methods.

MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Aquaculture – raising fish or shellfish in controlled conditions to use as food sources.

- Genetically engineered disease resistant oysters

- Vaccine against viruses that infect fish

- Transgenic salmon injected with growth hormone that have extraordinary growth rates.

Bioprospecting – Identifying marine organisms with novel properties to exploit for commercial purposes. Ex. Snails are a rich source of anti-tumor molecules.

MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

New drugs and vaccines have been developed. Human Genome Project is helping to identify defective genes and in the creation of new genetic tests. Gene Therapy – Inserting normal genes into a patient to replace defective ones. Stem Cell Technology – Possible use in the development of new tissues to replaced damaged tissues.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – LESSON 3 Microbial Biotechnology

What types of good/products can be produced by using microbial DNA?

Agricultural biotechnology

How have plants been “improved” by biotechnology?

What is molecular pharming?

What is the downside of genetically engineered plants?

Animal Biotechnology

Describe 3 uses of animals in biotechnology?

Forensic Biotechnology

Name the applications of DNA fingerprinting (pattern) technology.

Bioremediation

What is bioremediation?

Marine Biotechnology

Describe Aquaculture and some of its uses?

Define bioprospecting.

Medical biotechnology

What are 4 areas in which medical biotechnology has improved medical treatment?

LESSON 4 CANCER DETECTION LAB Day 1 - Review of Electrophoresis

Micropipetting Practice

Day 2 - Load Gels

Conduct Electrophoresis

Day 3 – Stain Gels

ELECTROPHORESIS REVIEW http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/