GENETIC ENGINEERING
Genetic Engineering
Involves the use of molecular techniques to modify the traits of a target organism. The
modification of traits may involve:
I. Introduction of new traits into an organism
II. Enhancement of a present trait by increasing the expression of the desired gene
III. Enhancement of a present trait by disrupting the inhibition of the desired genes’
expression.
Process of DNA recombination
Basic steps of Genetic Engineering
• 1. Scientists targets and identify specific gene.
• 2. They cut the targeted gene with restriction enzyme.
• 3. The targeted gene is “spliced” to the DNA of another organism using ligase.
• 4. The gene will be inserted in the host cell. Once inside the new cell, the new instruction
from the spliced DNA will direct the cell to make new proteins for new function or
characteristics
Genetically Modified Organisms
Bt Maize
Image Credit: Bacillus thuringiensis
• Bacillus thuringiensis produces a bacterial toxin (Delta-endotoxin)
• The bacterium has been used as an insecticide since 1938
• It stops the insect from feeding by attacking the insect gut lining
Cry gene
• The toxin is produced by the Cry gene
• Found on plasmids in the bacterium
• The gene is added to the genomes of crop plants using a bacterium that forms root
nodules in plants (Agrobacterium tumificiens)
• Bt crops produced from 1996 onwards: maize, potato, cotton, soybean
Image Credit: GMO Compass
BT Maize
Advantages
• Only insects attacking the crop will be poisoned Environmentally friendly
• All tissues are protected even the roots
• Biodegradable – does not accumulate in the food chain
Disadvantages
• Pollinators may be killed too
• Pesticide resistance in insects is rapid – but crop management could limit this
• Pollen grains could spread the gene to wild relatives of the crop plant
– but terminator genes could prevent this
- but terminator genes considered unethical in developing nations
• Technology expensive
Spider silk
© P. Billiet
Aculepeira ceropegia
a European orbweb spider
• Spider’s silk is
5 times stronger than a thread of steel of the same thickness
3 times stronger than Kevlar (carbon fibre)
• Spiders are carnivores and cannot be raised
• Transgenic animals can produce the spider protein
• The gene for spider silk protein was isolated from the golden orb weaver (Nephila
clavipes)
• Not easy, it is a fibrous protein so it has a very repetitive gene sequence
Web-based kid
Spider goat © Sean O'Neill
• Gene (plus regulator genes) inserted into goat mammary gland cells
• Genetically transformed cells could be made to secrete spider silk protein
• Transformed goat cells fused to enucleated oocyte
• Genetically transformed goat embryos produced
• Goat grows up, females produce spider silk protein in their milk
• Silk protein purified
• Extruded through nozzle to produce silken thread
• Not easy as the conditions are not quite the same a spider’s spinneret
• Transformed goats can be bred together perpetuating the trait
Applications
• Super strong surgery thread
• Artificial ligaments
• Light bullet proof body armour
• Biodegradable fishing line