Applications of Recombinant DNA

Distant Hybridization

Due to the development of genetic engineering, the transfer of genes between distantly related species are now possible. Desired genes can be transferred to higher organisms from lower organisms.

Distant Hybridization

Dianthus caryophyllus barbatus also known as Fairchild’s Mule

Distant Hybridization

A crossbred of a carnation pink (Dianthus caryophyllus) and Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus)

Development of Transgenic Plants

Genetically altered plants which contain imported genes. Through recombinant DNA technology, genetically modified plants can resist diseases, insects, pests and herbicides. Some may tolerate drought and metal toxicity.

Development of Transgenic Plants

Pest resistant GM crops (cotton and maize) often called as Bt crops. It was genetically modified so they are toxic to certain insects.

Development of Root Nodules in Cereal Crops

Rhizobium (nitrogen fixing bacteria) found in the root-nodules of leguminous plants converts the free atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates in the root nodules. Through genetic engineering, bacterial genes can be transferred to cereal crops (wheat, rice, maize, barley etc.) to make it capable too of fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Development of Root Nodules in Cereal Crops

Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) Rice

Development of C4 Plants

Improving the photosynthetic efficiency of crop plants can improve its yield. In order to increase the photosynthetic rate of crop plants, C3 plants must be converted into C4 plants through protoplasm fusion. Recombinant DNA technology C4 plants have higher potential rate of biomass production than C3 plants

Development of C4 Plants

Examples are sorghum, sugarcane, maize, some grasses which are grown in tropical and subtropical zones.

Production of Antibiotics

Tetracyclin, penicillin, streptomycin, novobiocin, and bacitracin are common examples of antibiotics produced by microorganisms. Improving the microbial strains through modification of genetic characteristics helps in increasing the production of antibiotics.

Production of Antibiotics

Tetracycline which is a broad-spectrum napthacene antibiotic produced semi synthetically from chlortetracycline, an antibiotic isolated from bacterium Streptomyces aureofaciens.

Production of Hormone Insulin

Gilbert and Willokomaroff designed a method of Insulin production through recombinant DNA technology

Production of Hormone Insulin

The insulin which is a hormone used by diabetics is usually extracted from pancreas of pigs and cows. The structure of this insulin is slightly different from the human insulin which leads to allergic reactions in about 5% patients. Production of insulin is made by incorporating human gene into the bacterial DNA. This genetically modified bacteria are used for the production of insulin.

Production of Vaccines

Inactive polio vaccine (IPV) is an example of a vaccine for polio.

Production of Vaccines

Transfer of antigen coding genes to disease causing bacteria can produce vaccine. The antibodies protect the hosts against the infection by the same bacteria or virus. Vaccines for polio, malaria, cholera, hepatitis, rabies and smallpox are some examples of vaccines developed through genetic engineering.

Diagnosis of Disease

Nucleic Acid Test, Antigen/Antibody Test and Antibody Test are types of tests conducted to detect HIV.

Diagnosis of Disease

Physicians were able to diagnose some diseases through recombinant DNA. Some investigations are now used in detecting infectious agents like food poisoning of Salmonella, Pus forming Staphylococcus, hepatitis virus, HIV and others.

Production of Enzymes

Production of chymosin which is important in cheese production. It was naturally extracted from calve’s stomach but due to modernization, it can be produced from microorganisms.

Production of Enzymes

Recombinant DNA technique can produce some useful enzymes like enzyme urikinase which is used to dissolve blood clots. It has been produced by genetically engineered microorganisms.

Production of Transgenic Animals

In order to produce transgenic animals, preferred genes is introduced into an animal. This method helps in increasing the variety of selective breeding in animals. It also ensure that better farm animals will be produced for marketable benefits.

Production of Transgenic Animals

Some examples of transgenic animals produced were pigs, sheep, rats and cattle. Dolly the sheep was thefirst transgenic animal.