1. 5. Genetic Engineering Techniques
4.1: DNA, and in some cases RNA, is the primary source of heritable information.
5. Genetic Engineering Techniques

2. What is Genetic Engineering?
Direct manipulation of genetic information.
Allows for direct control of gene expression, and novel combinations of genetic information from different species.
Also enables genetic testing for diseases and identity.

3. Technique: Gel Electrophoresis
Separation of DNA molecules based on their size.
Utilizes an electrical field and a gel matrix. Smaller DNA molecules migrate through the gel faster than larger molecules.
Used to isolate specific genes from within larger samples of DNA, or to visualize differences in DNA sequences.

5. Transformation
The direct introduction of DNA sequences in to prokaryotic cells.
The DNA sequences are delivered on plasmid vectors.
Used to engineer prokaryotic cells to produce useful proteins.
“transfection”: term for process in eukaryotic cells.

6. Restriction Enzyme Analysis
Restriction enzymes: Cut DNA at specific sequences (making “restriction fragments”)
This enables the isolation of different segments of DNA, for introduction in to plasmids, sequencing, or a variety of other studies.
RFLP Analysis: Using differences in restriction fragment length to determine identity, identify traits, etc.

7. Polymerase Chain Reaction
In vitro DNA replication.
Uses: a target sequence of DNA, small primers to bracket the sequence, a heat-resistant DNA polymerase, and a thermal cycler
Produces billions of copies of a DNA sequence over a span of hours

8. 5. Genetic Engineering Uses
4.1: DNA, and in some cases RNA, is the primary source of heritable information.
5. Genetic Engineering Uses

9. Uses of Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering techniques have many applications.
These applications have many ethical considerations.

10. Genetically Modified Foods
Genes for desirable traits are engineered into food crops.
Ex. Golden Rice

11. Transgenic Animals
Genes for desirable characteristics can be inserted into livestock and other animals
Ex. Fluorescent fish

12. Pharmaceuticals
Genes for therapeutic proteins can be inserted into bacteria to produce large quantities of those proteins
Ex. Insulin

13. Cloned Animals
Organisms that do not naturally reproduce asexually can be made to through genome manipulation in the laboratory.
Ex. Dolly

14. Ethical Considerations
Questions of ownership
Questions of consent
Questions of the definition of life, and what should be legally permissible.