DNA Technology

Chapter 13

What’s so great about it?

Genetic engineering brings DNA technology and molecular genetics together for practical purposes

Transgenic Organisms

Transgenic organisms contain a donor gene and express it as their own

Gel Electrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis is a technique used to separate DNA or protein fragments by their length and charge (positive/negative)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Agarose_Gel_Electrophoresis.png

Dr. Kary Mullis

1993 – Dr. Kary Mullis discovered the PCR procedure, for which he was awarded the Nobel prize.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be used to quickly make copies of segments of DNA when the original sample is small

The results of PCR can then be used to make a DNA fingerprint

Human Genome Project

The goal of the Human Genome Project is to determine the nucleotide sequence of the entire human genome and to map the location of all genes

This information might then be used to diagnose, treat, cure, and prevent human genetic disorders

Human Genome Project - 1980

An international team of scientists began the project to map the human genome.

Human Genome Project - 2000

J. Craig Ventor, along with Francis Collins, jointly announce the sequencing of the entire human genome.

Gene Therapy

Gene therapy refers to treating genetic disorders by correcting a defect in a gene or by providing a normal form of a gene

It is hoped that gene therapy can be used to cure genetic disorders in the future

Gene Therapy

1990 – Gene Therapy was used for the first time on patients

DNA Technology Benefits

DNA technology is used to produce medical products that are often safer and less expensive than those produced by conventional means

DNA technology is used to produce disease-resistant, pest-resistant, and herbicide-resistant crops

Perhaps these crops will improve the quality and quantity of the human food supply

FlavrSavr Tomatoes

The FDA approved the first genetically engineered food – FlavrSavr tomatoes engineered for better flavor and longer shelf life

Current Research

Current research involves efforts to isolate genes from nitrogen-fixing bacteria and to transplant them into plants

Such transgenic plants may be able to grow in nitrogen-poor soil without the addition of fertilizers

Resolution?

Many safety, environmental, and ethical issues involved in the new DNA technology have not been resolved

Dolly the Sheep

1997 – Dolly the sheep is the first adult animal clone

Her relatively early death in February 2003 fuels the debate about the ethics of cloning research and the long-term health of clones

Cloning