Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

1. Selective Breeding Process of breeding plants or animals in the same species for particular genetic traits. Oldest form of genetic engineering.

Purpose of Selective Breeding: to isolate and propagate the genotypes that are responsible for a plant or animals desired qualities in a suitable environment. to develop livestock and crops whose desirable traits have strong heritable components and can therefore be propagated. To modify livestock and poultry to meet consumer demands.

Purebreds

Crossbreeds b. Crossbreeds are a mix of two purebreds to create a combination of desired characteristics from each breed.

Labrador Retriever Poodle + Labradoodles =

CRISPR-Cas9 1. What is CRISPR-Cas9? 2. How does CRISPR-Cas9 work? In what type of organisms is CRISPR-Cas9 normally found and why do these organisms have it? How do geneticists hope to use CRISPR-Cas9 in the future (3 ways). Why is the use of CRISPR-Cas9 controversial?

2. Cloning To make an identical copy of a gene, organ, or entire organism

a. Gene Cloning involves Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) or CRISPR-Cas9 - a gene of interest is located & copied from a DNA strand that was extracted from an organism. -Discovered in 1983 by Kary Mullis (Won Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1993 for this work) Cloned genes can then be spliced into the DNA of many organisms to create GMO’s

Uses for Gene Cloning Gene Therapy -a technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease development. -A “normal” gene may be inserted into a location on the DNA to replace a nonfunctional gene. - CRISPR/Cas9 will hopefully be used in the future on somatic cells -A virus is often used to transfer the “normal” gene.

Uses for Gene Cloning 2. Production of Medicine -cloned genes are spliced into the DNA of another organism (often a bacterium) -the genetically altered organism (GMO - transgenic) now produces the protein the new gene codes for. - Source of insulin, human growth hormone, human clotting factor, cancer treatment drugs, and many others.

b.Therapeutic Cloning Involves the use of stem cells important to biomedical researchers because they can be used to generate virtually any type of specialized cell in the human body. - used to grow tissues and organs as replacement parts or for treat of a disease.

c. Reproductive Cloning - To make a complete genetic copy of an existing or previously existing organism. Uses Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

DNA Fingerprint Invented in 1984 Technique used to create an image of a portion of DNA to compare 2 or more DNA samples.

Used for: For paternity testing For forensics - to match a crime scene sample to a suspect - to identify a body To look for evolutionary relationships among organisms To test for genes associated with a particular disease.

NOVA DNA Fingerprinting simulation Created with Gel Electrophoresis: - a technique used for the separation of DNA, RNA, or protein molecules using an electric field applied to a gel matrix. NOVA DNA Fingerprinting simulation

Gel Electrophoresis

4. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) can be defined as organisms (i.e. plants, animals or microorganisms) in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. Also called Transgenic organisms Typically created by adding genetic material from another species of organism.

Genetically Modified Organisms Produced for use in medical research and/or to create a new trait in a species. Example = GMO Goats Making Stuff Stronger Modification = spider silk protein gene has been inserted into the goat’s DNA. The goat milk then contains the spider silk protein which can then be isolated and tested. Purpose = production of large quantities of spider silk protein which is incredibly strong.

GMO Goats Making Stuff Stronger http://www.pbs.org/video/1701025927/ starts at 42 min.

Genetically Modified Organisms