Genetic Engineering Manipulating an organisms genome using biotechnology

Genetic Engineering Manipulating an organism’s genome using biotechnology

Transgenic Organisms with altered genomes through biotechnology • Microorganisms – Insulin production – Clotting Factors • Plants (Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs) – Insect resistant – Weather Resistant • Animals – Agriculture – Medicine

Cloning Making an exact genetic copy of an organism Why clone? 1. Medical purposes 2. Reviving extinct or endangered organisms 3. Agriculture (plants & livestock) 4. Pet trade

CRISPR Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats • Gene editing mechanism • Idea from how bacteria fight viral infections • Three Part System: – Cas 9 enzyme – molecular scissors – RNA sequence – directs enzyme to specific sequence to cut – New DNA sequence to insert is introduced

• Benefits CRISPR – Technology – cheap & user friendly – Cure disease – Study genome (98% non protein coding) • Disadvantages – Designer babies? • Already been done: – Monkeys with mutations to prevent HIV – Child cured of leukemia – Malaria resistant mosquitos – Children born immune to HIV – Cure sickle cell anemia

DNA Fingerprinting A method of isolating and making images of a person’s unique DNA sequence Process: Gel Electrophoresis with help from restriction enzymes

DNA Fingerprints

He. La Cells • First cells grown sustainably in culture • 1951 • Named after Henrietta Lacks • Born in Virginia on a tobacco farm • Died from Cervical Cancer @ age 30

He. La Cells • First Immortal cell line • Important scientific work: – Polio vaccine – Improvements to cell culturing techniques – Human chromosome number discovery – Discovery of telomerase – Human genome project – HPV vaccine • Bioethics?