Genetic Technology part 1

Genetic Technology (1)

By Leonita Swandjaja

Learning Outcomes

• define the term recombinant DNA

• explain that genetic engineering is the deliberate manipulation of genetic material to modify specific characteristics of an organism and that this may involve transferring a gene into an organism so that the gene is expressed 

• explain that genes to be transferred into an organism may be: 

  • extracted from the DNA of a donor organism 

  • synthesised from the mRNA of a donor organism

  • synthesised chemically from nucleotides 

What is Genetic Engineering?

• The process of removing a gene (or genes) from one organism and transferring it into another.

• The goal is for the transferred gene to be expressed in the recipient organism.

Key Terms

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

DNA that has been altered and now contains nucleotide sequences from two different organisms.

Key Terms

Transgenic Organism / Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism that expresses a new gene or genes introduced through genetic engineering. The introduced DNA can come from another species or even an organism from a different domain (e.g., bacteria to plant).

Genetic engineering

• Allows us to overcome the natural barriers that prevent gene transfer between different species.

• For examples: Inserting a bacterial gene into a plant or a human gene into a bacterium.

Precision vs. Traditional Breeding:

• Unlike selective breeding, which involves the manipulation of whole sets of genes, genetic engineering often focuses on the transfer of a single, specific gene.

• This allows for more targeted and precise modifications to an organism's traits.

Creating a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) involves a series of crucial steps to successfully introduce and express a new gene.

The Steps of Gene Transfer in GMO Production

The desired gene is identified and obtained.
This can be done by:

• Cutting it from a chromosome.

• Synthesizing it from mRNA using reverse transcription.

• Directly synthesizing it from nucleotides.

​​Gene Identification and Isolation

Multiple copies of the isolated gene are created using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.

Gene Amplification

The gene is inserted into a vector, which acts as a delivery vehicle to introduce the gene into the recipient organism's cells.

Vector Insersion

• Plasmids (small circular DNA in bacteria)

• Viruses

• Liposomes (lipid vesicles)

Examples of vectors include

The vector carrying the gene is introduced into the cells of the target organism.

Gene Delivery

Cells that have successfully taken up and integrated the new gene are identified, often using marker genes. These successful cells are then grown and cloned to produce organisms with the desired genetic modification.

Cell Selection and Cloning

Genetic Engineering Toolkit

Such as restriction endonucleases (for cutting DNA), DNA ligases (for joining DNA fragments), and reverse transcriptase (for creating DNA from RNA).

Enzymes

Including plasmids and viruses, to carry the desired gene.

Vectors

Genes coding for easily identifiable substances, allowing for the selection of cells that have taken up the new gene.

Marker Genes

Multiple Choice

Define recombinant DNA technology

• A method in which same DNA from same organisms is spliced (combine) together in the laboratory

• A method in which DNA is spliced together in the laboratory

• A method in which different DNA from same organism is spliced (combine) together in the laboratory

• A method in which DNA from different organisms is combined together in the laboratory

Multiple Choice

A cloning vector is

• An agent that transfers a pathogen

• An agent that transfers a foreign gene from one DNA molecule to another

• An agent that transfers a DNA segment to a RNA molecule

• An agent that transfers a RNA segment to a DNA molecule

Multiple Choice

The physical transfer of a gene from the DNA of one organism into another organism in order to produce an organism with desired traits is called

• Genetic engineering

• Karyotype

• Cloning

• Selective breeding

Multiple Choice

In which ways can genetic engineering can improve crops?

• Make them pest or drought resistant

• Make them more nutritious

• Make them larger

• All options are correct

Multiple Choice

A DNA molecule produced by combining DNA from different sources is referred to as

• Mutant
• Polyploid
• Diploid
• Recombinant

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is used to cut DNA so it can be studied?

• Gel Electrophoresis
• Restriction Enzymes
• Karyotypes
• Haplotypes

Multiple Choice

What is an advantage of using transgenic bacteria to produce human proteins?

• The bacterial proteins work better
• The proteins can also be used to make plastics
• The bacteria can produce human proteins in large amounts
• The proteins are more durable when made by bacteria

Multiple Choice

Which woud require the use of recombinant DNA?

• Engineering bacteria to produce insulin
• Crossing 2 varieties of apple
• Breeding a donkey and horse to make a mule
• Creating a polyploid banana tree

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of PCR?

• To produce millions of copies of DNA.
• To produce millions of copies of a specific region of DNA
• To add nucleotides to a DNA sequence
• To watch polymerase work.

Multiple Choice

How many fragments resulted from the cut above?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4