RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

RECOMBINANT DNA TECHNOLOGY

 Nucleus 

  • Houses the DNA 

 23rd chromosome - sex chromosome (the XX or XY)

  • Carries the genes 

Mitochondrion 

  • Powerhouse of the cell 

  • Has a DNA:

    • Mitochondrial DNA


What is DNA?
  DNA = Deoxyribu-Nucelic Acid 

DNA

  • Is a very large molecule, made of smaller units called nucleotides 

Each nucleotide has three parts:

  1. Sugar (ribose)

  2. Phosphate molecule 

  3. Nitrogenous base 

The nitrogenous base is part of the nucleotide of d


Gene 

  • Is a unit of heredity in a living organism 

  • Genes hold the information to build and maintain an organism’s cells and paas genetic traits of offspring 



Genome 

  • The genetic complement of an organism, including all its GENES as represented in its DNA.

Genetic Engineering 

  • Genetic manipulation 

  • Recombination can also refer to the artificial and deliberate recombination of pieces of DNA, from different organisms, creating what is called recombinant DNA.

Tools Needed: 

  1. Restriction Enzymes /endonucleases: 

  • Helps to cut 

  1. Polymerase 

  • An enzyme that helps to synthesis (meaning to create a strand of DNA)

  1. Ligase 

  • Helps to bind 

  1. Vectors 

  • A vessel for transportation 

  • Helps in carrying and integrating the desire gene.




  1. Host Organism

  • Into which the recombinant DNA is introduced

  • Commonly used for bacteria

STEPS IN GENETIC ENGINEERING 

  1. Isolation of the target gene

  • Isolate the genetic gene that we want to see

  • Mapping out the characteristics 

  1. Insertion of the target gene into a vector 

  • Insert it into the vector 

  • Commonly used in plasmid 

  • Cutting to ensure it is accepted to be connected

  • Ligase is used to connect

  • Form recombinant DNA 

  1. Introduction of vector into host 

  • Bacterium is used because it is faster 

  1. Amplification of the target gene

  • Amplified through division 



APPLICATIONS OF GENETIC ENGINEERING 

  • Treatment of genetic diseases (gene therapy)

  • Introduction of medically useful biologicals (e.g. insulins)

  • Vaccine Production 

  • In Agriculture to create genetically-modified crops or genetically-modified organisms. 

Danger of genetic engineering is losing the original composition. 

It complicates ethics.


Genetically Modified  crops 

  • Flavr Savr Tomatoes 

  • Bt Corn