1. What is Biotechnology Dr. Marcia E. Roye
Prepared and presented by
Dr. Marcia E. Roye
Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology,
Associate Dean, Graduate Matters FST,
Office: Biotechnology Centre, Ground floor
Tel: (office)
(centre)
ext (from campus )

2. Information presented here is available at Dr Roye’s Bulletin Board at:

3. Overview What is science? What is biotechnology?
Modern biotechnology and genetic engineering
Extraction of genes (DNA) at home
Plant virus (geminivirus) research in Jamaica
HIV research in Jamaica
Other scientists in the Biotechnology Centre

4. Science What is science?
The aim of science is the discovery, description and understanding facts of nature (DDUN).
Basically there are two types of science:
Natural sciences
Social sciences
An e.g. of social science?
An e.g. of natural science?

5. Introduction
What does rum, wine, beer, yoghurt and cheese have in common?
Their manufacture depends on living organisms too small to be seem with the naked eye.
In biotechnology these tools and techniques are living organisms.
Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to make a product.
What are the types of the living organisms used in the manufacture of rum, wine, beer, yoghurt and cheese?

6. Modern Biotechnology
Modern biotechnology allows us to manipulate plant and animals in ways that were not possible before.
When we cross-breed animals and plants we can only do so with related species.
Modern biotechnology through genetic engineering allows us to move human genes to bacteria!
Or use bacteria to make human insulin to treat diabetics.

7. DNA Extraction at Home Purpose: to extract DNA from a variety of cells
salt
clear dish washing liquid
warm water
Supplies:
clear glass
plant or animal tissues--liver
Strainer
Toothpicks
Blender
rubbing alcohol

8. DNA Extraction
Cut up a small amount of the cell source (liver tissue).
Add it into a blender and fill it with enough warm salty water to cover it.
Blend for 5-10 seconds
Pour through the strainer into a clear glass

9. DNA Extraction Gently stir in about 2-3 teaspoons of the soap.
Stir very gently, trying not to make bubbles .
Slowly pour the alcohol into the glass, pouring it down the side of the glass so that it forms a separate layer on top of the soapy cell mixture.
The white stuff is DNA

10. DNA Extraction
The DNA will slowly rise from the watery lower layer up into the alcohol layer above it

11. We set out to identify viruses associated with crops in Jamaica
Geminivirus research
We set out to identify viruses associated with crops in Jamaica

12. Why Study Plant Viruses
Plants get sick and need doctors too!
‘Plant doctor’
If you give plants:
light
water
fertilizer
The plant will grow
This is not true if the plant is infected with a virus

13. 20 yrs and 22 Geminiviruses in Jamaica
Crops (5)
BGYMV
CabLCuJV
CabLCuV
TDLCV-[JM]
TYLCV-[JM]
Weeds (17)
EuMV
JMV
MaGMV-[JM:1]
MGMV-[JM:2]
MaYMV-[JM]
MaYMV
MaYMJV
RhGMYuV
TbYCrV
SiGMJV
SiGMBV
SiGMBuV
SiGMLigV
SiGYVV
TbLCuCUV
WGMV
WGMSTV
There are more!!!
20 yrs and 22 Geminiviruses in Jamaica