Chapter 13: Biotechnology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Scenario: You are an FBI agent, working at the scene of a crime. You found a small sample of blood, and you are hoping to obtain DNA information from it. But since it is such a small sample, you need to use a technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). PCR: Technique that is used to quickly make many copies of DNA from a single small sample (basically, it amplifies the amount of DNA you have)

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): How It Works

What can you do with all that DNA? ….You need to analyze it further!

Preparing/Cutting the DNA Restriction enzymes cut the DNA at specific sequences Useful in order to divide DNA into manageable fragments

Next: Gel Electrophoresis DNA can be separated based on size and charge The phosphate groups are negatively charged DNA is placed in a gel and electricity is run through it

Finished Gel

DNA Fingerprinting Because people have differences in their DNA sequences, the restriction enzymes can cut their DNA into different fragments When these fragments are run side-by-side on a gel, there will be different banding patterns based on the different size fragments This is useful for: Solving crimes (matching DNA samples from the crime scene to DNA samples from the suspect(s) and victim) Determining relationships between individuals

Crime Scene

Paternity Test Child has similar DNA to both mom AND “Male 1” (a.k.a. dad)

You Try! Who’s the Criminal? You know the rule…don’t shout it out!

You Try! Who’s the Dad? You know the rule…don’t shout it out!

Human Genome Project Started in 1990 Research effort to sequence all of our DNA (46 chromosomes) Over 3.3 billion nucleotides Mapping every gene location (loci) Conducted by scientists around the world

Human Genome Project Insights Only 2% of human genome codes for proteins (exons) Other 98% (introns) are non-coding Only about 20,000 to 25,000 genes (had expected 100,000) About 8 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) – places where humans differ by a single nucleotide

Cloning Cloning is the process of making a genetically identical organism through nonsexual means. In the process of cloning an organism, a body (somatic cell) and an enucleated egg cell (one with its nucleus removed) are combined Just like any other embryo, it divides by mitosis and develops into an organism

Cloning Dolly

Biotechnology Breakthroughs Insulin First “synthetic” human insulin was made using E. coli Bananas with the hepatitis B vaccine Provided to those in developing countries More economical than an injection