Teachers' Domain: Human Genome Project Biotechnology Teachers' Domain: Human Genome Project

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) DNA molecule Chromosome

The Tools of Molecular Biology

DNA fingerprinting is a method of identification that compares fragments of DNA.

What is the importance of DNA fingerprinting?

Who is the father? Male 1

You are the father!!!

Evidence of the crime : Suspects

Restriction enzymes are used to cut and edit DNA sequences forming DNA fragments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPulEAryPO0 Stem Cells Undifferentiated Cells ex. Stem Cells -Cells that are not specialized (do not have a job. Differentiated Cells ex. Heart Cell -Cells that are specialized (have a job

Recombinant DNA Before 1922, diabetes was a death sentence. Scientists can now insert genes that make insulin (the hormone needed to balance blood sugar) into a bacterial DNA, called a plasmid, to make insulin rapidly.

Geneticists helping farmers Segments of DNA can be removed and replaced with different segments of DNA. For farmers this can result in crops that are bigger and better.

Cloning

What kinds of jobs involve working with DNA?

Careers in Molecular Biology Genetic engineers can change gene sequences, or insert new genes to improve organisms. Microorganisms can be genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. For example, the human insulin gene is inserted into bacteria to mass produce insulin for diabetics. Genes are inserted into crops to make them mold and pest resistant

Careers in Molecular Biology Because we inherit genes from our parents, we can use DNA sequences to determine how organisms are related. Ecologists and conservation biologists use DNA to understand population structure: this can help identify and protect endangered species Animal breeders use differences in DNA to determine parentage.

Crime Scene Investigation

WHO DID IT? Careers in Molecular Biology There are slight differences in the DNA sequences between different people. Forensic scientists and crime scene investigators use these differences to help match DNA found at a crime scene to a suspect. Found at the crime scene Suspects: A B C WHO DID IT?

Careers in Molecular Biology Medical professionals and gene therapists use DNA sequences to understand the variation between people in terms of health and disease. This is important in the study of heritable disease (such as breast cancer), organ transplants, and fertility. Pharmaceutical scientists also use DNA techniques to understand how drugs work in the body, which helps them develop new and better drugs.