Introduction to Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering Overview

• Genetic engineering is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology.
• Biotechnology is any technological application that utilizes biological systems, organisms, or their components to create products and improve technological systems, aiming to enhance human well-being.
• Genetic engineering involves artificially copying a DNA segment from one organism and inserting it into another.
• This allows genes from one organism to be inserted into a cell of a different species.
• Key processes in genetic engineering include isolation, cutting, transformation, ligation, and expression.

Important Terms

• Plasmid: A circular bacterial genome containing non-essential genes but often carrying beneficial genetic traits.
• Restriction Enzyme: Molecular scissors used to cut DNA into fragments at specific sites.
• Recombinant DNA: The artificially created combination of two DNA strands.
• Gene Splicing: The process of altering a DNA segment to include or exclude particular genes within it.

Stages of Genetic Engineering

• 1. Isolation: Isolating specific genes from the donor organism (e.g., human cells) and extracting plasmids from a bacterial cell.
• 2. Cutting: Using restriction enzymes to precisely cut DNA at specific sites. This creates "sticky ends" that can be used to join DNA fragments.
• 3. Transformation: Introducing the recombinant DNA into a bacterial host cell.
• 4. Ligation and Insertion: Joining the donor DNA fragments with the plasmid DNA using DNA ligase.
• 5. Expression: Allowing the bacterial cell to reproduce and produce the desired protein coded for by the donor gene. The protein can then be isolated and purified.

Transgenic Organisms

• Organisms altered through genetic engineering by introducing a gene into an organism lacking that gene (gene transfer).
• A transgenic organism receives a new gene from a different organism.
• GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and GEOs (Genetically Engineered Organisms) are types of transgenic organisms used in different fields.

GE Applications in Agriculture

• Increased Productivity: Genetically modifying crops to increase their yield.
• Reduced Need for Fertilizers: Creating plants that require less fertilizer.
• Disease Resistance: Developing crops that are resistant to various diseases.

GE Applications in Medicine

• Production of Hormones (e.g., insulin): Producing human hormones in bacteria.
• Development of Vaccines: Creating vaccines through genetically modified yeast cells.
• Gene Therapy: Modifying human DNA to treat genetic diseases.
• Gene Pharming: Engineering animals to produce therapeutic proteins in their milk or other products.

Specific Examples

• Sheep genetically modified to produce human clotting factors.
• Goats genetically engineered to produce proteins for treating emphysema.
• Plants engineered for resistance to herbicides and insects.

This quiz explores the fundamentals of genetic engineering and biotechnology. Test your knowledge on key concepts such as plasmids, restriction enzymes, and recombinant DNA. Understand the processes that enable the manipulation of an organism's genome for biotechnological applications.