Chapter 11

BIOTECHNOLOGY
DNA Technology
 BIOTECHNOLOGY

• the use of artificial methods

to modify the genetic material
of living organisms or cells to
produce novel compounds or
to perform new functions
• To improve plants, animals, or
microorganisms for specific use.
 Examples of the way we
use Biotech..
• Medicine
• Agriculture
• Environment
• Food and Beverage processing
 Where to begin?

• start with the extraction and

manipulation of genetic
materials (DNA, RNA)
• Gel electrophoresis

• PCR
 Gel electrophoresis
• a technique used to separate charged
molecules on the basis of size and charge
(can separate DNA, RNA or proteins)
• Application:
• Identify different species of bacteria
and fungi
• Forensics – DNA profiles - 1986 first use
in US court system
• Paternity testing and other family
relationships
© Cengage Learning 2017
 PCR
(Polymerase Chain
Reaction)

• technique used to
mass-produce
copies of DNA
fragments

• Requires primers and

is usually a small
sample of DNA.
Amplifying DNA
 Genetic Engineering

• Changing the genetic

information in a cell

• Specific trait of one organisms

may be isolated, cut, and moved
in the cell of another organism.
 Cloning

• The creation of an exact

replica; producing a new
organism from cells or tissues
of existing organism.
• 2 main types:
• Molecular (DNA) cloning
• Reproductive cloning
Molecular (DNA) Cloning

• The creation of multiple

copies of genes, using
bacteria or viruses

• Application: used extensively

in research and medical field.
 DNA Cloning
• DNA cloning mass produces
specific DNA fragments
• Recombinant DNA-hybrid molecule
that consists of DNA from two or
more organisms
• Fragments to be copied are inserted
into plasmids or other cloning
vectors and inserted into host cells,
such as, bacteria
 DNA Cloning

• Host cells divide and make

identical copies (clones) of the
foreign DNA
• A huge population of clones can
be grown
 Reproductive Cloning

• method used to make a

clone or an identical copy
of an entire multicellular
organism
• Ex: “Dolly” , cloned sheep
 Biotechnology in
Medicine and
Agriculture
GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms)
Genetic Diagnosis
Gene therapy
Production of Vaccines and Antibiotics
 GMO
Genetically Modified Organisms

• A gene may be altered and

reinserted into an individual of the
same species
• A gene from one species may be
transferred to another
• These organisms are called
Transgenic organisms
• Most common GMOs are bacteria
 Genetically Modified Microorganims
(Transgenic Bacteria)

• Bacteria with a human insulin gene

• These transgenic bacteria produce a supply of human
insulin for diabetics.
• Human insulin is tolerated better than pig insulin
• Caused allergic reactions when other animals were
used.
 GMO’s
• Produce enzymes used in food manufacturing
• improving the taste of beer and fruit juice, halting bread
from becoming stale, and making cheese. (Yeast)

• Bacteria with genes coding for oil digesting

enzymes
• oil digesting gene from a rare species of bacteria inserted
into common bacteria
• These transgenic bacteria are introduced onto beaches
following an oil spill.
• They feed on oil, thus removing the spill.
Bioremediation – adding nutrients to stimulate
growth of bacteria to clean up oil spill.

© 2013 Pearson Education, Inc.

 Transgenic plants
• Bacteria that infects plants (Agrobacterium
tumefaciens)
• Genes introduced into plants using this
bacteria

• Crop producing plants with a fungal resistant

gene
• The transgenic crop plant can now resist fungus and
produce more food/plant
Step 1: A Ti plasmid
carriying foreign
genes is inserted into
bacterium. The
bacterium infects a
plant cell and Step 2: The infected
transfers the Ti plant cell divides
plasmid into it. The (mitosis/meiosis), and
recombinant plasmid its descendants are
becomes integrated induced to form
into one of the cell’s embryos that develop
chromosomes into plants. All of the
cells of the new plants
carry the foreign gene
and may express it.
Transgenic Corn (left) vs. unmodified plants
 Flavr Savr Tomato
• Tomato plants with a gene that resists rapid
spoilage
• These transgenic tomatoes have a longer
shelf life, slow to ripen.
• Ultimately rejected by consumers due to
quality
 GMO crops
• "Golden Rice“: Rice containing a β-carotene gene

• White rice is inserted with a beta-carotene gene

from daffodils (beta-carotene produces vitamin
A)

• Eating this transgenic golden rice eliminates

blindness and early childhood deaths caused by
Vitamin A deficiency in underdeveloped countries
where rice is the main food
 Transgenic animals
"Pharm" animals
• Animals inserted with a gene that produces a drug to
treat human disorders.
• Given plant genes that produces specific kind of drug.
• Produces proteins that treat cystic fibrosis, heart
attacks, and blood clotting disorders, malaria. (Goats
milk)
• Rabbits make a protein that triggers immune cells to
divide and be used as a cancer drug
• Food animals are also engineered: (More meat or
milk)
• Chickens that do not transmit bird flu
 Concerns with GMOs

• You should read the research and form

your own opinions
• Beware of media and biased hype
 Genetic Diagnosis
• Testing for suspected genetic defects
• Ex:
• mutations in the BRCA genes: increase the
likelihood of developing breast and ovarian
cancers
• mutation in APOE genes: increase the
likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease

• 23 and me
• some of your genome is read and given specific
advice for diet and exercise that fits you.
Personal Genetic Testing
 Gene therapy
• Experimental technique that inserts a non-mutated
gene at a random location in the genome to cure or
prevent a genetic disease.
• Uses viral vectors (mostly)
• Instead of using drugs or surgery

• Gene is transferred into body cells to correct a

genetic defect or treat a disease
• Tested as a treatment for heart attack, sickle-cell anemia, cystic
fibrosis, hemophilia A, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases,
several cancers, and inherited diseases

• Risky: Weakens the immune system and could

possibly cause cancer
 Production of Vaccines
and antibiotics
• Vaccines:
• Traditional vaccination: use weakened or
inactive forms of microorganisms or
viruses to stimulate the immune system.
• Modern techniques: use specific genes of
microorganisms
• cloned into vectors and mass-produced in
bacteria to make large quantities of specific
substances to stimulate the immune system.
• The substance is then used as a vaccine
 Production of Vaccines
and antibiotics
• Antibiotics: kill bacteria
• naturally produced by
microorganisms such as fungi:
penicillin.
• Cannot kill viruses
 Genomics

• Genomics: the study of

entire genomes (all the
chromosomes)
 Human
Genome
Project (1990-
2003)

• Learned that
human DNA is
made of 3 billion
base pairs
• Contains 20,000-
25,000 genes
 Whole genome sequencing

• process that determines the DNA

sequence of an entire genome
• Used when there is a genetic basis at the core
of a disease

• Several laboratories now provide services

to sequence, analyze, and interpret entire
genomes.
• Ex: 23 and me
 Application of genomics

• Disease prediction
• Pharmacogenomics
• Creation of New Biofuels