1. Chapter 9 Biotechnology

2. Biotechnology
Biotechnology – the application of a technological process, invention, or method to living organisms.
Why would we want to extract DNA?
How do you think we can remove DNA from a cell?
DNA Extraction video

3. DNA Extraction
Use chemicals to break down cell membrane/wall and nucleus.
The DNA is now free to be extracted
DNA is sticky, and can be easily pulled out of a mixture.
This is called “spooling” DNA

4. Restriction Enzymes
After DNA has been extracted, restriction enzymes are added
Cut DNA at VERY SPECIFIC sites
Specific nucleotide sequence
Makes large DNA molecules more manageable and easier to study.
Cuts it up into smaller sections.

5. Restriction enzymes

6. Gel electrophoresis
After the DNA is cut into smaller, more manageable pieces, a gel electrophoresis technique is used.
Gel electrophoresis uses an electrical current to separate a mixture of DNA fragments from each other.
DNA is inserted into tiny openings known as wells on the gel.

7. DNA is negatively charged because of the phosphate group in the nucleotide.
Positive and negative charges attract therefore DNA moves towards positive end of gel.
The DNA fragments are then sorted by size as they travel down the gel creating bands.
The smaller the fragment, the further it moves down the gel.
Gel electrophoresis

8. Gel electrophoresis

9. Gel Electrophoresis

10. Gel Electrophoresis
This technique is also known as “DNA Fingerprinting”
There is a 1 in 5.4million chance that someone could have the same DNA as you.
What are some of the ways that we use DNA fingerprinting today?

11. Cloning
A clone is a genetically identical copy of a gene or an organism
Asexual Reproduction = 100% identical
Example: Plants clone themselves
Example: Bacteria and binary fission = split into 2
Example: Sea star re-growing lost limbs (regeneration)
Jurassic Park Clip
The Island Clip

12. Cloning
1. A body cell is taken from a donor who is going to be cloned.
2. An unfertilized egg is taken from another individual and the nucleus is removed.
3. The nucleus of the body cell is fused with the unnucleated egg cell to create an embryo.
4. The embryo is then stimulated to begin dividing.
5. Embryo is implanted into a surrogate mother.
Dolly video
Cloning video
Cloning “Dolly” 1997

13. Positive and negative of cloning.
Cloning raises concerns.
low success rate
clones “imperfect” and less healthy than original animal
decreased biodiversity
organs for transplant into humans
save endangered species
Higher crop yields

14. Why aren't the cloned cats exactly identical?
Environment has an affect on gene expression
Why?

15. Genetic Engineering
Genetic Engineering – Changing an organism’s DNA by inserting a foreign gene from one organism into another.
Uses a technique known as Recombinant DNA.
Recombinant DNA is DNA that contains genes from more than one organism.
Bacteria are commonly used in recombinant DNA.
Bacteria contain plasmids that are necessary for genetic engineering.

16. Transgenic/Recombinant DNA
Plasmid – tiny rings of DNA found in bacteria
Recombinant DNA results in a transgenic organism – an organism that has one or more genes from another organism inserted into its genome.
Genetically modified organism (GMO)

17. Transgenic organisms: Genetically engineered crops
- PROS: Resistant to frost, disease and insects
Smaller amount of pesticides needed to protect plant
More and bigger plants produced
CONS: Could cause health effects
(allergic reactions, unknown side-effects)
Could affect pollinators
Decrease biodiversity
Lead to interbreeding among plants forming a hybrid

18. Human Genome Project Started in 1990, completed in 2003
Research effort to sequence all of human DNA
46 chromosomes
Over 3.3 billion nucleotides
Mapping every gene location (loci)
Conducted by scientists around the world

19. Gene Therapy
The replacement of a defective or missing gene, or the replacement of a new gene, into a person’s genome to treat a disease.
First successful gene therapy took place in 1990
Much of gene therapy is still experimental
Researchers are studying many different methods to treat cancer
Gene to stimulate persons immune system to attack cancer cells
Insert “suicide” gene into cancer cells.