Lecture 30 - Gene Therapy, DNA Fingerprinting, and GMOs

Describe gene therapy for CLL (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia)

1. No single defective gene is currently identified as a potential gene therapy candidate

2. T cells are removed from the patient and modified with retroviral gene therapy so that they cevognize and destroy B-lymphocytes

3. Patients will have no B-lymphocytes left as a result. They will receive periodic injections of gamme globulin (antibodies) to boost their immune system

Describe Parasitoid Wasp Gene Therapy

1. Parasitic wasps lay eggs inside the larvae of other insects

2. Plants release volatiles when chewed on by caterpillars. These colatiles attract wasps

3. Wasp eggs hatch inside the host and developing wasp larva eat the caterpillar alive

What are genomes composed of?

Genomes are composed of multiple circular dsDNA molecules. This includes genes that produce factors that suppress the host (caterpillar) immune system

What is examples of factors that suppress the (caterpillar) immune system?

1. Factors that are similar to transcription factors that activate the host’s immune system

2. Transcription factors that are activated by kinases that attach phosphate groups to them

3. Poly DNA virus transcription factor like proteins that act as decoys for the kinases and block functional transcription factors from activating transcription of immune genes

How does paternity testing work?

1. PCR products are separated with gel or capillary electrophoresis

2. Pattern of bands unique for each individual appear if multiple loci are analyzed

3. The father will share unique bands with the child

How do forensic labs determine paternity?

1. Accuracy of the test depends on number of microsatellite loci and their variability

2. Most power comes from ruling out possible suspects

GMO

Geneticall modified organisms

How are animals geneticall modified?

Microinjection of genes that get integrated into the genome of a zygote. The genes are integrated through fusion of nuclei during in vitro fertilization. (ex. introducing growth hormone gene).

What is ATryn and its impact in medicine

It is a product of genetically engineered goat’s milk that was modified to produce human antithrombin (a plasma protein with anticoagulant properties). It is used for treatment of patients that gave a deficiency of this during surgical or childbirth procedures

Describe the effect the GMOs have on salmon

Growth hormone regulating gene in salmon was replaced be a growth hormone regulating gene and a promoter sequence. Enables GM salmon to grow year round. ONLY sterile female fish are farmed and sterility is achieved through triploidy in the fish

How are plants genetically modified?

They are modified by a plasmid with inserted gene that originates from plant bacterial pathogens that can integrate into the genome