DNA Technology & Genomics

Manipulating the code

Ch 12

Centaur – half man, half horse

What if you wanted to change your traits?

Genetic Engineering vs. DNA Biotechnology Based on knowledge of Human

Genome Project Craig Venter & Celera Genomics Over 6 bill. Nucleotide bases in 20-

30,000 genes! Established nucleotide sequence of

genes (genomics) and proteins made (proteomics) & how they interact

Changing Traits - Gene Manipulation Inducing mutations to DNA Selective Breeding

Select parents with desirable phenotypes– “mass selection”

hybridization offspring express “hybrid vigor”

Liger/Tigon

Liger Information An average adult male liger can weigh over 900 pounds.

An adult male Siberian tiger can grow to an average weight of 500 pounds,

An adult African lion can average 450 pounds.

The reproductive process that creates a liger leaves out the growth inhibitor gene present in the male lion and the female tiger, and the result is an enormous offspring that has the best physical and mental characteristics of the parents.

It is important to note that there are no documented cases of ligers appearing naturally in the wild. Lions and tigers do not share territory and the chances of contact between the two groups is slim due to their differing natures.

Direct gene manipulation – Genetic Engineering

Changing actual gene code of organism Recombinant DNA - Combining DNA

from 2 different organisms Creates a chimera or transgenic organism Requires recognition of coding sequences of

gene, including promotors, terminators, transcription factors and enhancers

Tools Genomic maps of DNA Genomic libraries Restriction Enzymes/Restriction

Endonucleases (DNA scissors) cut at known sequences in specific places (pallindromes)

Ligase Cloning vector

Surrogate mothers, bacterial plasmid, yeasts, or viruses

Benefits of Genetic Engineering

Make drugs easily & cheaply, i.e. insulin Make vaccines New and useful chimeras – genetically

engineered crops for disease or insect resistance, increased yield

Save DNA from endangered species Customized Rx – metabomics

Risks? Genethics? Moral and ethical implications of genetic

engineering Cloning a super race Frankenfoods Bringing back the dead What are YOUR concerns?

Gene Therapy & cloning How to transfer the correct gene into an

affected individual? Cloning vectors Bacterial plasmids Viruses yeasts

What is cloning?

DNA Fingerprinting Comparison of DNA found in blood samples, tissue

samples, etc. to identify individuals for classification, criminology, paternity suits, etc.

Can determine diseases & genetic defects Tracing family history & evolution

RFLP Analysis Restriction Fragment Length

Polymorphism Extract DNA & make copies

PCR or Polymerase Chain Reaction “digest” with restriction enzymes Separate fragments in gel

electrophoresis compare - 5 banding images is a match