Gene Expression and Technology

epigenetic modification definition

changes that affect gene expression of genes relating to differentiation via methods such as DNA methylation

DNA methylation definition

adding methyl group to CpG site

DNA acetylation process

binding of factor to promotor sequence causing increased transcription of enzymes and proteins involved in process

order of embryonic cells relating to totipotent, pluripotent, and multipotent stem cells

zygote, blastocyst, embryo

does methylation occur before or after differentiation

before - prevents other proteins/enzymes being translated for, so that cell is specalised

how does a stem cell become one of multiple possible cells?

via epigenetic modification, DNA methylation, keeps genes needed by multiple of the cells switched on, genes needed in irrelevant cell types switched off permanently, causing proteins for particular cell type to be made

process of genetic modification

use DNA restriction to cut gene, use ligase to insert gene, into vector, use plasmid

how to make many of a GM organism

cloning