Biotechnology

Combining Life Science and Technology

DNA Fingerprinting Is not the same as taking a print from the fingers. What does DNA Fingerprinting produce? It produces a pattern of dark bands that is unique for

each individual. What is DNA Fingerprinting used for? 1. Criminal cases-- identifying crime scene DNA 2. Paternity cases-- finding out who the parents of a

child are 3. sorting Recombinant vs. Nonrecombinant DNA

What are the steps to making a DNA fingerprint?

1. Obtain a biological sample from.. Blood, hair, semen, saliva, skin cells 2. Cut the DNA into segments using... Restriction enzymes 3. Use gel electrophoresis to sort the sections

of DNA by size

What is gel electrophoresis?

• A process for measuring DNA segments using the gel and electricity to make the DNA separate according to size.

Explain how gel electrophoresis works.

• DNA samples are loaded into wells in the gel using..

• Micropipetters• The current is turned on allowing the DNA to

move through the gel toward the..• Positive end of the gel because• DNA has a negative charge.

How are the bands created?

• DNA segments travel different distances depending on their...

• Size (length)• Describe how long vs. short pieces move.• Longer segments move shorter distances

because they move more slowly through the gel

• Shorter segments move fastest and go... the greatest distance away from the start.

What is the gel made of?

• Agarose powder and buffer solution• What does the gel have that makes it good

for separating the DNA?• There are holes (spaces) in the gel that the

segments have to go through (like a filter)• Why is buffer used?• To conduct electricity through the gel

What is PCR?

• Polymerase Chain Reaction• What is it used for?• It is used to copy a DNA sample so that there

is more of it for testing.• Example: Crime scene may only yield a

small amount of skin cells or a drop of blood. PCR replicates the sample so that they can complete many tests on the sample.

What is Genetic Engineering?

• Process of taking genes from different species for a practical purpose. Making recombinant DNA is a process used for this.

• Examples of Genetic engineering:• Making proteins/vaccines to treat diseases

•Genetically modified plants-- that are created to be more drought resistant or grow bigger.

What is Recombinant DNA?

• DNA from 2 or more different species combined.

• Why combine DNA? • In this way, human genes can be inserted

into bacteria.. and the bacteria can then make human proteins for medical uses, example...

• Insulin for treatment of diabetes

What is a Plasmid?

• A circular piece of DNA that can replicate independently.

• When the plasmid is placed in a host cell, we call it a …

• Vector

Give the steps to making Recombinant DNA.

• 1. Identify the gene of interest-- a gene sequence that codes for a protein for example.

• 2. Cut the DNA with...• Restriction enzymes• 3. Cut vector DNA with restriction enzymes• 4. Insert gene of interest into vector DNA• 5. Sticky ends allow gene to attach• 6. Insert recombinant DNA into a host cell

How do Restriction Enzymes make the cut?

• They recognize a pattern in the genetic code (order of nitrogen bases). This pattern is..

• A Palindrome sequence. It is the same...• Backwards as forwards• ex. R-A-C-E-C-A-R• Restriction enzymes always cut in one

specific place based on the sequence and leave sticky ends

What are sticky ends?

• The unpaired bases left in the specific sequence

• They will attract their complementary bases and allow the gene of interest to combine with the plasmid.

What is a clone?

• An organism that is an exact copy of another organism

• What is a method used to transfer one organism's DNA into a host cell to create a clone?

• Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

List the steps to:Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

• 1. Remove nucleus from an egg cell. Discard it.

• 2. Remove nucleus from somatic cell • 3. Put somatic cell nucleus into egg cell.• 4. allow time for DNA to adjust and reprogram• 5. stimulate cell division electrically or

chemically• 6. Put divided cell embryo into a surrogate

mother.

When the new organism is born, what will it be a clone of?

• The donor organism. The one that gave the somatic cell nucleus.

What is therapeutic cloning?

• Creating tissue from a patient's DNA that is an exact copy of the patient in order to grow organs that can be transplanted in the patient that his body will not reject.

• Example.. take liver cells and stimulate them to grow in the lab in order to make a new liver to replace the patient's damaged one.

Define Stem Cells.

• Stem cells are cells that haven't been programmed yet-- they do not have jobs in the body, but could become many different kinds of cells.

• There are 3 kinds: • Totipotent, Pluripotent, Multipotent• If you remember TPM “The Perfect Man” it

will help you remember the order of Best to Least useful.

Differentiate between the types of stem cells

• Totipotent—Can become any kind of cell They are found in …

• early embryos • Pluripotent—They can become almost any

type of cell and are found in..• Late embryos and early fetuses• Multipotent—can only become certain kinds

of cells and are found in...• Adult blood, bone marrow and in umbilical

cords

What are the medical uses of stem cells?

• Treat paralysis• Treat brain injuries and strokes• Treat leukemia (bone marrow cells)• Treat diabetes (pancreas cells so that

pancreas will begin producing insulin)

The End (or is it just the beginning?)

• Biotechnology is the future!

• Good Luck!