After going through this lesson, you are expected to:
1.Outline the processes involved in genetic engineering.
(STEM_BIO11/12-IIIa-b-6)
2.Discuss the applications of recombinant DNA. (STEM_BIO11/12-
IIIa-b-7)
3.Describe general features of the history of life on Earth,
including generally accepted dates and sequence of the geologic time scale and characteristics of major groups of organisms present during these time periods. (STEM_BIO11/12-IIIc-g-8) Definition of Terms: 1. Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification or genetic manipulation, is the modification and manipulation of an organism's genes using technology. 2. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a polymer composed of two polynucleotide chains that coil around each other to form a double helix. The polymer carries genetic instructions for the development, functioning, growth and reproduction of all known organisms and many viruses. DNA and ribonucleic acid are nucleic acids. 3. Recombinant DNA technology comprises altering genetic material outside an organism to obtain enhanced and desired characteristics in living organisms or as their products. This technology involves the insertion of DNA fragments from a variety of sources, having a desirable gene sequence via appropriate vector 4. Plasmid is a small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria and some other microscopic organisms. Plasmids are physically separate from chromosomal DNA and replicate independently. 5. Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical genomes, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction; this reproduction of an organism by itself without a mate is known as parthenogenesis. Dolly was a female Finn-Dorset sheep and the first mammal that was cloned from an adult somatic cell. She was cloned by associates of the Roslin Institute in Scotland, using the process of nuclear transfer from a cell taken from a mammary gland.
Remains of Dolly the Sheep –
Edinburgh, Scotland - Atlas Obscura 6. Genome is the entire set of DNA instructions found in a cell. In humans, the genome consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes located in the cell's nucleus, as well as a small chromosome in the cell's mitochondria. A genome contains all the information needed for an individual to develop and function. 7. Gene mapping refers to the process of determining the location of genes on chromosomes. Today, the most efficient approach for gene mapping involves sequencing a genome and then using computer programs to analyze the sequence to identify the location of genes. 8. Biotechnology is technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or parts of this to develop or create different products. Brewing and baking bread are examples of processes that fall within the concept of biotechnology (use of yeast (= living organism) to produce the desired product). 9. Polymerase chain reaction (abbreviated PCR) is a laboratory technique for rapidly producing (amplifying) millions to billions of copies of a specific segment of DNA, which can then be studied in greater detail. 10.Gene therapy is a technique that uses a gene(s) to treat, prevent or cure a disease or medical disorder. Often, gene therapy works by adding new copies of a gene that is broken, or by replacing a defective or missing gene in a patient's cells with a healthy version of that gene. Genetic engineering, the artificial manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acid molecules in order to modify an organism or population of organisms. What is Recombinant DNA Technology?
The technology used for producing artificial DNA through
the combination of different genetic materials (DNA) from different sources is referred to as Recombinant DNA Technology. Recombinant DNA technology is popularly known as genetic engineering Tools Of Recombinant DNA Technology
The enzymes which include the restriction enzymes help
to cut, the polymerases- help to synthesize and the ligases- help to bind. Process of Recombinant DNA Technology
The complete process of recombinant DNA
technology includes multiple steps, maintained in a specific sequence to generate the desired product. Step-1. Isolation of Genetic Material.
The first and the initial step in
Recombinant DNA technology is to isolate the desired DNA in its pure form i.e. free from other macromolecules. Step-2.Cutting the gene at the recognition sites.
The restriction enzymes play a
major role in determining the location at which the desired gene is inserted into the vector genome. These reactions are called ‘restriction enzyme digestions’. Step-3. Amplifying the gene copies through Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
It is a process to amplify a single copy of DNA into thousands to millions of copies once the proper gene of interest has been cut using restriction enzymes. Step-4. Ligation of DNA Molecules.
In this step of Ligation, the
joining of the two pieces – a cut fragment of DNA and the vector together with the help of the enzyme DNA ligase. Step-5. Insertion of Recombinant DNA Into Host.
In this step, the recombinant
DNA is introduced into a recipient host cell. This process is termed as Transformation. Once the recombinant DNA is inserted into the host cell, it gets multiplied and is expressed in the form of the manufactured protein under optimal conditions. Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology • DNA technology is also used to detect the presence of HIV in a person.
• Gene Therapy – It is used as an attempt to correct the gene
defects which give rise to heredity diseases.
• Clinical diagnosis – ELISA is an example where the application of
recombinant. (ELISA is a common laboratory testing technique that detects and counts certain antibodies, antigens, proteins and hormones in bodily fluid samples. This includes blood, plasma, pee, saliva (spit) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). “ELISA” stands for “enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.”) • Recombinant DNA technology is widely used in Agriculture to produce genetically-modified organisms such as Flavr Savr tomatoes, golden rice rich in proteins, and Bt-cotton to protect the plant against ball worms and a lot more.
• In the field of medicines, Recombinant DNA technology is
