DNA TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY PAGES Chapter 10

10.1 DNA Technology Biotechnology is technology based on biological applications. These applications are increasingly used in medicine, agriculture and food sciences. Biotechnology combines many features of biology including, genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, and cell biology. Many aspects of biotechnology center around DNA and its applications, otherwise known as DNA technology.

DNA Technology DNA technology centers around the human genome project. The human genome project was publically funded by the US Dept of Energy and the NHGRI with the NIH. The goal was to understand the genetic make-up of the human species by determining the DNA sequence of the human genome. The sequence of the human DNA is stored in databases available to anyone on the Internet. Data base is known as Genbank.

However, the known sequence does lay the foundation to identify the unique differences that among all of us that make us unique. Most of the current identified variations among individuals will be single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNP’s. A SNP is a DNA sequence variation occurring at a single nucleotide in the genome.

Gene Cloning Gene cloning is also known as molecular cloning, refers to the process of isolating a DNA sequence of the interest for the purpose of making multiple copies of it. The identical copies are called clones. In 1973 Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer developed the technique to make recombinant DNA, a form of artificial DNA.

Recombinant DNA Recombinant DNA is engineered through the combination of two or more DNA strands, combining DNA sequences which would not normally occur together. In other words, selected DNA is inserted into an existing organism genome, or some other vector. The recombinant DNA can then be inserted into another cell with the result in protein production. This process is called transformation or genetic alteration of a cell.

Steps 1. Gene is inserted into the plasmid 2. Plasmid put into bacterial cell 3.Host cell grown in culture to form a clone of cell containing the “cloned gene” of interest. 4. Basic research and various applications

Lesson review question Due on Tuesday Restate question in answer. Use complete sentences #1, 2, 3