Bio - Biotech tools

Benefits of isolating a rare gene

More protection, bigger offspring, tastier (for crops) (ig for humans too)

Why is E Coli used often in Biotech

Grows very fast
Easy and cheap to grow
Structure and behavior is very predictable and known
Dangerous bits can be killed
DNA can be inserted easily

DNA fingerprinting

Uses PCR to make copies of a specific DNA
Useful for family relations and guilt of a crime

Short tandem repeats

Short sections of DNA that repeat x num of times based on humans
Region varies alot between people
Useful when trying to identify and compare DNA between people

Gene therapy

Insertion/Removal of a defective gene to treat disease
Could be somatic or germline therapy
Can treat sickle cell disease, genetic forms of blindness
Not allowed in humans due to non consensual acts to baby (germline)

Difference between somatic and germline therapy

Somatic: Only targets and effects person treated
Germline: Targets eggs/sperm, could affect generations

In/Ex vivo

Vivo = living body
In - Cells are changed directly in body (healthy gene injected into bloodstream)
Ex - Cells are removed and altered

Vector

Something that carries genetic material into a cell

Viral vs Non viral vectors

Viral = with a virus
Viral - Scientists remove dangerous part of disease and use virus to carry gene
Non Viral - Uses fats, electricity instead of viruses to deliver genetic material

Electrophoresis

Lab tech used to seperate DNA,RNA, and protein based on size and charge

Gene cloning

Process of making many identical copies of a specific gene
EX: Enter genes into plasmid to multiply

Gene splicing

Process of cutting a gene and joining with another piece of DNA to multiply greatly

Plasmids

DNA that exists separately from main chromosome
Carries extra genes to help bacteria survive (Can contain antibiotic resistance/toxin production)
Naturally found in bacteria and usually gives them an advantage

Restriction enzymes

AKA molecular scissors/Endonucleases
Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific base sequence
Used to cut out a gene, open up a plasmid, gene cloning

Transformation

When bacteria takes in new DNA from surroundings
New phenotype is acquired

Antibiotic

Useless against viruses
Medicine that kills bacteria or stops them from growing

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) + steps

Lab method used to make millions of copies of a specific piece of DNA quickly
3 steps in PCR
Denaturation - DNA is heated and unzipped
Annealing - Temp is lowered and primers stick to target DNA region
Extension - DNA polymerase adds new bases

DNA sequencing

Process where sequences of DNA bases are determined
Helps scientists find genetic diseases

What is DNA charge

Negative

Features of a plasmid

Has a replication origin (starting point where DNA unzips)
Allows gene to copy itself and maintain the gene for future
Has several sites where restriction enzymes can cut
Has several genes that make it resistant to certain antibiotics

Do all cells get new DNA during transformation?

No, ones that didn’t get are treated with antibiotics so only ones with the gene are duplicated

Lipid nanoparticles

Form of non viral vector
Tiny fat particles used to deliver genetic information to cells
Fat is outside, DNA is inside

Sticky vs Blunt ends

DNA cut with restriction enzymes end up with one of these, only cuts backbone not H bonds
Sticky ends - Uneven cuts at different positions, Easier to join pieces together
Blunt ends - Straight even cuts at the same position, ends are flush(even), harder to join together due to no hanging bases