Frontiers of GeneticsFrontiers of Genetics

Frontiers of GeneticsFrontiers of Genetics

Recombinant DNARecombinant DNA Restriction enzymesRestriction enzymesGenetically Modified Organisms (GMO)Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

BacteriaBacteria PlantsPlants AnimalsAnimals

Cloning……Cloning……

Recombinant DNARecombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA technology combines genes Recombinant DNA technology combines genes from different sources – even different species – from different sources – even different species – into a single DNA molecule.into a single DNA molecule.

In addition to the many applications in fields In addition to the many applications in fields such as medicine and agriculture, analyzing and such as medicine and agriculture, analyzing and manipulating genomes can help ans’wer one of manipulating genomes can help ans’wer one of biology’s most important questions: How does a biology’s most important questions: How does a complex multicellular organisms develop from a complex multicellular organisms develop from a single cell?”single cell?”

Cutting and Pasting DNA Cutting and Pasting DNA

The tools used to cut DNA are called The tools used to cut DNA are called restriction enzymes.restriction enzymes.

In nature these enzymes are found in bacteria and In nature these enzymes are found in bacteria and protect the bacteria from intruding DNA from other protect the bacteria from intruding DNA from other organisms and viruses (phages)organisms and viruses (phages)

In the lab, they are used to move DNA In the lab, they are used to move DNA from one place to another.from one place to another.

Useful Products From Genetically Useful Products From Genetically Engineered MicroorganismsEngineered Microorganisms

Oil spillsOil spillsMass production of pesticides to theraputic Mass production of pesticides to theraputic

drugsdrugsInsulinInsulinVaccinesVaccines

Proteins of Hepatitis B virus cloned in yeast cells have Proteins of Hepatitis B virus cloned in yeast cells have allowed for mass productionsallowed for mass productions

Genetically Modified PlantsGenetically Modified Plants

Using recombinant DNA technology, Using recombinant DNA technology, scientists are able to improve various scientists are able to improve various characteristics of certain crop plants.characteristics of certain crop plants.

Improved nutritional valueImproved nutritional valueResistance to spoilage or diseaseResistance to spoilage or diseaseBy 2000, half of crops of soybeans and corn grown By 2000, half of crops of soybeans and corn grown

in the US were genetically modified in some way.in the US were genetically modified in some way. Herbicide resistanceHerbicide resistance Pest resistance (insects, fungi)Pest resistance (insects, fungi)

Genetically Modified AnimalsGenetically Modified Animals

GM animals is more difficult to produce GM animals is more difficult to produce than GM plantsthan GM plants

Researchers try to make a sheep with Researchers try to make a sheep with better-quality wool, a pig with leaner (less better-quality wool, a pig with leaner (less fat) meat, or a fish that will mature in fat) meat, or a fish that will mature in shorter time. shorter time.

The GMO ControversyThe GMO Controversy

Could GM crops pass their new genes to Could GM crops pass their new genes to closely related plants in nearby wild closely related plants in nearby wild areas?areas?

Superweeds?Superweeds?Unknown risks to humansUnknown risks to humans

GM proteins in milk of animals, medicines….GM proteins in milk of animals, medicines….

Animal CloningAnimal Cloning

In cloning an entire animal, the nucleus In cloning an entire animal, the nucleus from a single cell of that adult animal from a single cell of that adult animal replaces the nucleus of an unfertilized egg replaces the nucleus of an unfertilized egg cell from another animal of the same cell from another animal of the same tissue.tissue.

Cloning offers the potential to mass Cloning offers the potential to mass produce an animal of desirable set of traitsproduce an animal of desirable set of traits

The EndThe End