Genetic modification

Explain how genes can be transferred from one organism to another

• This is done by making recombinant DNA

• The same restriction endonucleases cut open bacterial plasmid DNA and the gene of interest

• The gene of interest is mixed with the plasmid DNA and complementary base pairing occurs

• Ligase enzymes join the 2 DNA molecules together

• The bacterial plasmid now contains a gene from another organism

• The plasmid also contains a marker gene, such as antibiotic resistance which allow identification of transformed cells later

How the human genome project allows personalized medicine

• The human genome project is about finding the sequence of bases for every gene in the human genome

• Different alleles produce proteins with slightly different shaped & function so:

• This identifies new genes that may be involved in the development of genetic disorders or be drug targets

• Help identify if individuals are genetically more likely to be affected by risk factors by identifying their alleles

• Help design treatment that will be most effective for certain alleles, with the least side effects

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