Biotechnology Applications By Diana L. Duckworth Rustburg High School Campbell County

Uses of in vitro DNA DNA sequencing of base pairs –Many organisms have been sequenced –Human Genome Project Know the entire human genome at base pair level Use sequences to study a number of issues –Address questions of evolution by comparing differences and similarities in DNA; greater similarity, more closely related –Study function of different genes & how they are regulated – important with regard to gene therapy Ethical issues: Should one be able to patent a gene? –Example – high cholesterol tolerance in Italian population; who has the right to that gene & its products?

More in vitro applications Diagnosis of disease –HIV in earliest stages –Identify harmful alleles through gel electrophoresis DNA fingerprinting –Paternity tests –Identification of criminals

Applications of in vivo DNA cloning Gene therapy –Vector cells such as viruses used to produce recombinant DNA containing gene a normal allele from donor –Used to infect in vitro bone marrow cells (stem cells) from individual with genetic defect –Cells are then reintroduced into patient –Begin to produce normal proteins to combat the disease Human trials in SCID (immune deficiency disease) –9/10 showed improvement; –2 later developed leukemia as a result; trials suspended

More in vivo applications Pharmaceutical products –Bacteria such as E. coli as the host organism contain gene for human insulin –The gene is transcribed by the bacteria producing insulin –Can be produced in industrial environment to produce insulin for use by diabetics Other pharmaceutical products –human growth hormone and –Tissue plasminogin activator or TPA (combats blood clots causing heart attacks –Vaccines; protein that stimulates immune response is produced by genetic engineering just as other pharmaceutical products

More in vivo applications Bioengineered bacteria can be created to aid in environmental cleanup –Already used in oil spills –May be used to remove heavy metals from pollution sites Agricultural Uses –Transgenic livestock Desirable genes (even from other species) are injected into a fertilized egg in vitro which is then implanted in a surrogate Developing fetus incorporates gene & organism then has that trait Being used to create pharmaceuticals in eggs or in milk – more economical & efficient

More agricultural uses Transgenic Plants –Use plasmids from soil bacteria as vector –Recombinant DNA incorporated into plant cells which regenerate into mature plants –Example: golden rice was engineered to contain beta-carotene; combats Vitamin A deficiency in half of the world’s population –Pharmaceuticals in tobacco plants – vaccines such as hepatitus B and factors which interfere with bacteria that cause tooth decay –Roundup resistant corn (cannot legally be used for food) Ethical concerns: what if the plant escapes to the wild? In food plants – what if strange genes & proteins cause allergic reactions