Frontiers of Biotechnology Chapter 9 Manipulating DNA The

Frontiers of Biotechnology Chapter 9

Manipulating DNA � The process of moving genes from the chromosomes of one organism to those of another � Technique ◦ Genes are cut at specific places along the DNA code by restriction enzymes ◦ Everywhere a gene is cut, a sticky end is produced which makes it easy to stick the gene somewhere else ◦ Desired genes are then inserted into plasmids (circular DNA molecules within bacteria) �Resulting DNA is called recombinant DNA ◦ Bacteria then reproduces rapidly, each time making copies of the desired gene (clones)

Gel Electrophoresis � Process of separating DNA fragments with an electric current

Engineering New Organisms � Transgenic- organisms which contain foreign genes � Transgenic bacteria- often inserted with the genes for insulin and growth hormones so they can be massed produced to be used in the medical field � Transgenic plants- increase ability of plants to fight off disease and pests, increase taste, color and decrease spoilage � Transgenic animals- increase ability of animals to fight off disease, increase meat production of animals, increase rate of growth, test out treatments of human diseases on lab organisms

Cloning � To create identical copies of an organism � Dolly the sheep by Ian Wilmut

Dolly died in 2003. Dolly is now preserved and can be found at the National Museum of Scotland

DNA fingerprint�A person’s DNA which can be used to ID a person at the molecular level

Human Genome Project � Worldwide project to map out all the genes on the human chromosomes