Genetic Engineering What is Genetic Engineering Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering

What is Genetic Engineering? • Genetic Engineering = inserting a foreign gene of interest into a host to transcribe and translate a particular protein. • Ex. Inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria to mass produce it. Image taken without permission from http: //www. medicalprogress. org/uploads/images/insulin%20 inject%20 WSU%20210. jpg

General Steps • Obtain the gene of interest (ex. insulin gene) • Insert the gene into the host (ex. bacteria) • Allow the host to multiply and express the foreign gene – get your desired protein! – Get lots of cells that can make the protein = clones

The Big Picture • The inserted gene is transcribed and translated using the RNA Polymerase, ribosomes and other resources in the cell

Plasmids chromosomal DNA • Circular DNA • Extrachromosomal – NOT part of the E. coli genome – “extra” DNA plasmids • Contain a few non-essential genes • Can give the bacteria additional “traits” – Depends on the genes on the plasmid • Can be exchanged between bacteria

Recombinant plasmids • Plasmids can be modified in biological labs • Modified plasmid = Recombinant plasmid • Plasmids can be used as cloning vectors to get the recombinant plasmid into E. coli – Cloning vectors = way to get the gene of interest into the host

Transformation • Process in which foreign DNA is physically inserted into host E. coli cells. • E. coli that contains recombinant plasmid = Transformed cell Image taken with out permission from http: //summerschool. at/static/irismaria. schoenbrunner/imag es/transformation. png

Transformation Steps • Recombinant plasmids and host E. coli are mixed together • Ca. Cl 2 is added – The Ca 2+ ions neutralize the negative charges on plasmid DNA – Help plasmid enter the membrane Image taken without permission from Transformation Animation. Available at http: //www. dnai. org/b/index. html

Transformation Steps • Heat Shock – By rapidly changing the temperature of the solution, temporary pores are opened in the membrane – Creates an opening for the plasmids to enter the E. coli

Transformation • Transformation is not 100% successful • After transformation – Some cells will contain plasmid = transformed – Some cells won’t contain plasmid = untransformed • In a later step, you will determine which cells were transformed

E. Coli as a host • E. coli is a good host because: – Reproduce quickly (once every 20 minutes) – Nonpathogenic (the strain we use is not harmful) – Genome fully characterized (all genes have been sequenced)