1. What is genetic engineering??

2. Biotechnology today Genetic Engineering Our tool kit…
manipulation of DNA
if you are going to engineer DNA & genes & organisms, then you need a set of tools to work with
Here are some of our tools
Our tool kit…

3. Bacteria Bacteria review one-celled prokaryotes reproduce by mitosis
binary fission
rapid growth
generation every ~20 minutes
108 (100 million) colony overnight!
dominant form of life on Earth
incredibly diverse

4. Bacterial genome Single circular chromosome haploid naked DNA
no histone proteins
~4 million base pairs
~4300 genes
1/1000 DNA in eukaryote
Genome = all the DNA of an organism
Eukaryotes
• 1000 times more DNA
• only 10 times more genes
- introns, spacers, inefficiency
How have these little guys gotten to be so diverse??

5. Plasmids Small supplemental circles of DNA carry extra genes
,000 base pairs
self-replicating
carry extra genes
2-30 genes
genes for antibiotic resistance
can be exchanged between bacteria
bacterial sex!!
rapid evolution
can be imported from environment
Mini-chromosomes

6. How can plasmids help us?
A way to get genes into bacteria easily
insert new gene into plasmid
insert plasmid (vector) into bacteria
bacteria now expresses new gene
bacteria make new protein
transformed bacteria
gene from other organism
recombinant plasmid
vector
plasmid
cut DNA +
glue DNA

7. Biotechnology Plasmids used to insert new genes into bacteria cut DNA
gene we want
like what?
…insulin
…HGH
…lactase
cut plasmid DNA
Cut DNA?
DNA scissors?
ligase
insert “gene we want” into plasmid... “glue” together
recombinant plasmid

8. Restriction enzymes Action of enzyme Many different enzymes
Madam I’m Adam
Action of enzyme
cut DNA at specific sequences
restriction site
symmetrical “palindrome”
produces protruding ends
sticky ends
will bind to any complementary DNA
Many different enzymes 
CTGAATTCCG
GACTTAAGGC 
CTG|AATTCCG
GACTTAA|GGC

9. Grow bacteria…make more
transformed bacteria
gene from other organism +
recombinant plasmid
vector
plasmid
grow bacteria
harvest (purify) protein

10. Uses of genetic engineering
Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
Agriculture: Insert new genes enabling plants to produce new proteins
Drugs: “Pharming” Production of human insulin by bacteria
“Fixing” mutated genes in humans: Adding correct copies of mutated genes to people
For example, a transgenic rice plant has been developed that produces yellow grains containing beta-carotene.
Humans use beta-carotene to make vitamin A.
Currently, 70% of children under the age of 5 in Southeast Asia are deficient in vitamin A, leading to vision impairment and increased disease rates.

11. Uses of genetic engineering
Genetically modified organisms (GMO)
Agriculture: Insert new genes enabling plants to produce new proteins
Protect crops from insects: BT corn
corn with a gene from bacteria that produces a toxin which kills corn borer (caterpillar pest of corn)
Extend growing season: fishberries
strawberries with a gene for an antifreeze protein from flounder
Improve quality of food: golden rice
rice with gene for Vitamin A -producing
vitamin A improves nutritional value
For example, a transgenic rice plant has been developed that produces yellow grains containing beta-carotene.
Humans use beta-carotene to make vitamin A.
Currently, 70% of children under the age of 5 in Southeast Asia are deficient in vitamin A, leading to vision impairment and increased disease rates.

12. Your Task: Genetically Modified Foods: Blessing or Curse???
You have assignment, rubric and source materials.
You will produce a Poster addressing the questions from the assignment.
Due Friday, Feb 24.