DNA Technology and Biotechnology Lecture

Vocabulary and key concepts covering DNA cloning, CRISPR, gene therapy, PCR, and genomics based on lecture notes.

DNA Cloning

A set of methods that uses live cells to make many identical copies of a DNA fragment.

Restriction enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific nucleotide sequences and leave single-stranded tails known as 'sticky ends'.

Recombinant DNA

A DNA molecule that contains genetic material from more than one organism.

Cloning vector

A DNA molecule, such as bacterial plasmids, that accepts foreign DNA and carries it into a host cell.

Humulin

Human insulin (rDNA origin) produced by genetically modified bacteria, specifically distributed by Lilly in $100$ units per $mL$ concentrations.

CRISPR

Clustered Regularly Interspersed Short Palindromic Repeats; a DNA technology system that allows for the editing of specific genes in living cells by replacing mutated genes with normal ones using RNA-guided enzymes.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that uses a genetically modified virus to transfer a normal or modified gene into a person with a genetic disorder.

Golden rice 2

A transgenic variety of rice carrying genes from daffodils and corn, designed to help prevent vitamin A deficiency and blindness in developing nations.

AquAdvantage salmon

Atlantic salmon genetically modified with growth hormone genes that allow the fish to reach maturity in $18$ months instead of $3$ years.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify a specific segment of DNA quickly and precisely, using components like Taq Polymerase, primers, and nucleotides in a thermocycler.

PCR Steps

The three-stage process of DNA amplification consisting of Denaturation, Annealing, and Elongation.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)

The most common DNA variation between people, occurring approximately once every $1000$ base pairs, with the average person having $4$ to $5$ million.

DNA Profiling

The analysis of DNA samples to determine whether they come from the same individual, frequently used in forensic science and legal proceedings.

Electrophoresis

A technique using a gel and power source to separate a mixture of DNA fragments by size, where shorter fragments move fastest through the gel.

Genomics

The study of complete sets of genes (genomes).

Proteomics

The study of complete protein sets in a species.

Human Genome Project

A project completed in $2003$ revealing that the human genome consists of about $3$ billion nucleotides and only about $21,000$ genes.

Coding DNA Percentage

Only about $1.5\%$ of human DNA contains genes that code for proteins.