DNA Technology and its DNA Technology and its Applications Applications

Some notes adapted from Some notes adapted from

S. Livingstone S. Livingstone

Practical applications of Practical applications of recombinant DNA…recombinant DNA…

Recombinant Vaccines (ie. Hepatitis B) Recombinant Vaccines (ie. Hepatitis B) Prevention and cure of sickle cell anemia Prevention and cure of sickle cell anemia Prevention and cure of cystic fibrosis Prevention and cure of cystic fibrosis Production of clotting factors Production of clotting factors Production of insulin Production of insulin Production of recombinant pharmaceuticals Production of recombinant pharmaceuticals Germ line and somatic gene therapy Germ line and somatic gene therapy

Another Major Application of Another Major Application of Recombinant DNA Recombinant DNA

Using the technology of recombinant DNA, Using the technology of recombinant DNA, we are able to introduce specific genes we are able to introduce specific genes from one organism into another. from one organism into another.

A A transgenic organismtransgenic organism is an organism that is an organism that has been genetically engineered to has been genetically engineered to contain 1 or more genescontain 1 or more genes

Applications of Transgenic OrganismsApplications of Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic LivestockTransgenic Livestock Farm animals that are genetically altered to Farm animals that are genetically altered to

synthesize marketable proteins.synthesize marketable proteins. Mice that urinate human growth hormone (HGH)Mice that urinate human growth hormone (HGH) Goats that produce the malaria antigen for use in Goats that produce the malaria antigen for use in

vaccinesvaccines Cows that produce a human protein in their milkCows that produce a human protein in their milk

Pigs that are genetically altered so their organs Pigs that are genetically altered so their organs can be transplanted into a human without rejection can be transplanted into a human without rejection

Applications of Transgenic OrganismsApplications of Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic PlantsTransgenic Plants Plants that produce their own insecticidesPlants that produce their own insecticides Crops that have increased drought and heat Crops that have increased drought and heat

resistance resistance

Genetic Engineering is…Genetic Engineering is…

The technique of removing, modifying, or The technique of removing, modifying, or adding genes to a DNA molecule in order adding genes to a DNA molecule in order to change the information it contains. By to change the information it contains. By changing this information, genetic changing this information, genetic engineering changes the type or amount engineering changes the type or amount of proteins an organism is capable of of proteins an organism is capable of producing, thus enabling it to make new producing, thus enabling it to make new substances or perform new functions. substances or perform new functions.

Genetically Modified Organisms Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)(GMO)

Often, the label GMO and the term Often, the label GMO and the term "transgenic" are used to refer to organisms "transgenic" are used to refer to organisms that have acquired novel genes from other that have acquired novel genes from other organisms by laboratory "gene transfer" organisms by laboratory "gene transfer" methods. methods.

What are the practical applications What are the practical applications of gel electrophoresis?of gel electrophoresis?

DNA fragments produced by the gel DNA fragments produced by the gel electrophoresis can be used in other electrophoresis can be used in other technologies like PCR, cloning and DNA technologies like PCR, cloning and DNA sequencingsequencing

Or, the DNA fragments can be used by Or, the DNA fragments can be used by forensic scientists, conservation biologists, forensic scientists, conservation biologists, taxonomists, evolutionary biologists, etc.taxonomists, evolutionary biologists, etc.

How is gel electrophoresis used by How is gel electrophoresis used by scientists?scientists?

Human DNA can be analyzed to Human DNA can be analyzed to Provide evidence in criminal casesProvide evidence in criminal cases Diagnose genetic diseasesDiagnose genetic diseases Solve paternity casesSolve paternity cases

Samples of DNA can be obtained from tissue Samples of DNA can be obtained from tissue and body fluidand body fluid Cheek cellsCheek cells SkinSkin Hair Hair BloodBlood Semen Semen

What are the practical applications What are the practical applications of gel electrophoresis?of gel electrophoresis?

Conservation biologists use DNA to Conservation biologists use DNA to determine genetic similarity among determine genetic similarity among populations and individualspopulations and individuals

Taxonomists use DNA to help distinguish Taxonomists use DNA to help distinguish species species

Evolutionary biologists use DNA profiles to Evolutionary biologists use DNA profiles to compare similarities and differences to compare similarities and differences to construct family trees construct family trees

What are the practical applications of What are the practical applications of PCR?PCR?

PCR creates high amounts of pure DNA, PCR creates high amounts of pure DNA, enabling analysis of DNA samples even enabling analysis of DNA samples even from very small amounts of starting from very small amounts of starting material to be used in other DNA material to be used in other DNA technologies.technologies.

What are the practical applications of What are the practical applications of gene therapy?gene therapy?

potential to eliminate and prevent hereditary diseases such as potential to eliminate and prevent hereditary diseases such as Cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis hemophilia hemophilia heart disease, heart disease, AIDS AIDS cancer cancer

**There's a fair amount of risk involved in trials of this kind of therapy, and to date, only children who are seriously ill or have illnesses incurable by conventional means have been involved in clinical trials using gene therapy.