Genetic Engineering to us.
It is now possible to transfer DNA
-Process of altering the genes in all living things sequences from
-Transfer of genes from one organism to another one organism to another. American researcher
Transgenic organism - Organisms whose genes Steven
are altered or modified for specific purposes. Howell and his associates at the University of
(GMO California
such as soybeans & corn, genetically modified for in San Diego learned that even genes from two or
pest more
& herbicide resistance ) different organisms can be made to work
Stanley N. Cohen and Herbert W. Boyer (1973) together.
American Biochemists pioneered the first Howell’s team tried to isolate the gene for
application of Genetic engineering based on luciferase- an
recombination using E. coli bacteria. enzyme that allows fireflies to glow- and insert it
Uses of Genetic Engineering into
1. Repairing a genetic "defect" tobacco cells. When the gene was activated from
2. Enhancing an effect already natural to that the
organism (e.g. to increase its growth rate); recombinant cells, the plants glowed in the dark.
3. Increasing resistance to disease or external This
damage (e.g. crops - blight, cold, or drought); means that the basic mechanisms of gene
4. Getting a micro-organism to produce human expression
insulin are shared by both plants and animals.
for diabetics, or a sheep to produce a human Benefits that we can get from recombinant DNA.
blood-
clotting protein in her milk, in both cases a Agriculture – Transgenic plants (contains genes
transgenic from
method; another organism)
5.Getting a tomato to ripen without going * recombinant DNA tech.
squashy - Plants can be grown with genes responsible for
this can be done simply by taking one of its natural
own genes, turning its "pattern“ upside down, pesticide. The need for synthetic/artificial
and putting it back again! pesticides.
Issues concerning Genetic Engineering ex. Bacillus thuringiencis bacterium
1.Risky Pathogens- Genetically altered organisms genetically modified maize known as Bt corn
can used
induce adaptation to virus and bacteria through as organic fertilizer poisonous (BT delta
contact endotoxin)
and increases the possibility of harm to those to certain pests (Lepidoptera larvae).
non-
genetically altered plant/animal. The following are some bacteria used in
2. Unfavorable Diversity- Genetically engineered recombinant
species DNA technology:
overtakes the domestic species through mass 1. Pseudomonas syringae- the recombinant
reproduction and supremacy in traits that may variant
lead to is ice-minus P. syringae bacterium (lacks the
extinction gene
3. Unpredictable Technology- Genetic for ice formation. Prevent frost crystals from
engineering forming in plants.
involves DNA insertion that could be abused to 2. Pseudomonas fluorescens- non-pathogenic
create produce proteins rapidly advantageous in
severe problems such as altering the human developing
genome or biotherapeutics and vaccines.
production of a biological engineered weapon.
3. Agrobacterium tumefaciens - In its natural
Recombinant DNA state, this
bacterium has a tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid that
Application of Recombinant DNA causes
Several scientific advancements have led to crown gall disease in plants. The said Ti plasmid
many in the
genetic engineering techniques that are very bacterium can be removed and replaced with
beneficial a
recombinant plasmid. III. Ligation (join together) of the gene of interest
Applications of recombinant DNA to agriculture (eg. from an animal) with the vector (cut
are the bacterial plasmid)
following: IV. Transfer of the recombinant plasmid into a
A. Crop Improvement host cell to carry out reproduction.
V. The selections to screen which cells
B. Genetically Engineered Traits: The Big Six actually contain the gene of interest
1. Herbicide Resistance VI. Sequencing of the gene to find out the primary
2. Insect Resistance structure of the protein
3. Virus Resistance
4. Altered Oil Content
5. Delayed Fruit Ripening
Genetic engineering is the process of taking a gene from one
6. Pollen Control
species and putting it into another species
C. Biotech Revolution: Cold and Drought
Tolerance and Weather Medicine 1. Human cells with genes for healthy insulin are selected.
2. A chromosome (a length of DNA) is removed from the cell.
An important contribution of recombinant DNA 3. The insulin gene is cut from the chromosome using the
technology in the field of medicine is the use of restriction endonuclease enzyme.
bacteria to create substances that our body
needs 1. A suitable bacterial cell is selected. Some of its DNA is in
whether to maintain good health or to treat a the form of circular plasmids.
disease. 2. All the plasmids are removed from the bacterial cell. 3. The
Ex. human insulin is created using recombinant plasmids are cut open using the same restriction
DNA to help diabetics (e.g.monoclonal antibodies). endonuclease enzyme.
4. The human insulin gene is inserted into the plasmids using
2. Treatment of genetic diseases (gene therapy) Food the ligase enzyme.
Industry Recombinant technology has also improved the 5. The plasmid are returned to the bacterial cell (only one is
food industry. shone in the diagram).
*resistant to pests, diseases and envi. stress *Yields have 6. The bacterial cell is allowed to reproduce in a fermenter.
increased and production costs have been kept lowered. All the cells produced contain plasmids with the human
*Processing high-quality fermented foods such as cheeses, insulin gene.
pickles, wines, and beers.
*Cattle can be engineered to be bigger with higher Ways in the introduction of plasmids into host Organisms:
reproduction rates of better quality
*developing animals whose meat has less fat. Biolistic- a gene gun is used to fire DNA-coated pellets on
*It is possible to modify certain foods, such as fruits and plant tissues. Cells that survive the bombardment and are
livestock, in terms of sweetness, color, and even nutritional able to take up the expression plasmid coated pellets acquire
value e.g. soybean, tomato and corn. the ability to express the designed protein trait.
Classical Breeding and Modern Genetic Techniques Heat Shock Treatment- a process where the target cells are
Restriction Enzyme (Res)-a protein that cuts/cleaves specific pre-treated with CaCl2 to increase the pore size of their
sites of the DNA. plasma membranes. Next, incubated with the desired plasmid
at about 4°C within 30 minutes then it is subjected to the
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) - molecule that contains rapid rise and drop of temperature from 4°C to 42°C
hereditary material alternatively. The plasmid DNA near the membrane is then
taken up by the cells and acquired new traits.
Plasmid- part of bacterial cell that is capable of protein
synthesis which is passed on the bacterium progeny
Recombinant DNA- Molecules of DNA from two different
species that are inserted into a host organism to produce a
new genetic combination Progeny- descendant or offspring
Outline of Genetic Engineering process:
I. Cutting or cleavage of DNA by restriction
enzymes (REs)
II. Selection of an appropriate vector or vehicle
which would propagate the recombinant DNA
