1. Humulin, a drug made by Eli Lilly, is the human insulin protein made by bacteria. How can a bacteria make a human protein?
"Using restriction enzymes, scientists are able to cut plasmid DNA as well as human DNA containing a gene of interest, and combine the two sticky ends to make recombinant DNA. Once the plasmid bacteria contains a copy of the foreign gene, it integrates the gene into its own genome and every time it replicates, the foreign gene of interest is replicated as well. In this way, bacterial cells are able to mass produce the protein coded by the inserted gene. Basically, bacteria are being manipulated as protein-producing factories and I personally think it's brilliant!" [Great answer!]
2. TNKase (Genentech) is a new and improved form of an earlier product, Activase. How to these two rDNA drugs differ? OR, if you prefer, how does Darbopoetin differ from its parent molecule, Epogen?
- (a) TNKase is specific for humans, while Activase is not. [Response?]
- (b) I don't know. [Response?]
- (c) The new rDNA drug, TNKase, differs by a substitution to three different amino acid sites. This change allows for the drug to work much quicker than the Activase drug. The TNKase drug is also more fibrin specific. [Ooh, great wording]
- (d) "Epoetin and darbopoetin are structurally similar. However, differences in their carbohydrate and sialic acid side chains lead to several pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamically significant differences. Epoetin binds with higher affinity to the erythropoietin receptor. However, darbopoetin has a longer half life and takes longer to reach peak concentration." Source: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu/conferences/article.cfm?c=3&s=24&ss=150&id=1006 [..And referenced, too]!
3. The Asilomar conference and era has always been hailed as one of science's great moments - self-regulation and caution at the advent of a new era of technology. In your opinion, could this sort of model work today in our society for science, medicine, politics, etc, circa 2007? (or, are there any recent events in society that would have benefitted from this model?) Explain!
Wow - great answers! Here is an example that was pretty representative of the overall class sentiment:
"Self-regulation and caution at the advent of a new era of technology is no longer feasible in today's society. The aforementioned society we live in rewards those who are the most ambitious. Those ambitions are rewarded with fame, fortune, and power. Simply put, there are too many reasons to pursue what is deemed taboo than to obey a self-imposed ban."
4. In one sentence each, tell me (a) Where you did your undergraduate work: IUPUI - IU - Purdue - Other!, (b) What you are hoping to do with your life next year?
IUPUI - Med School 2, Dent School 1, Vet School 1, Grad School 4, Biotech 2
IUB - Med School 14, Dent School 4
PUWL - Med School 6, Biotech 1
Med School: Butler 1, Hope Coll 1 , DePauw 2, UIndy 2, USI 1, Butler 1, Notre Dame 2, SLU 1, Vanderbilt 1, U Evansville 1, Southern Virginia 1,
Dent School: ISU 1, Hanover/Ball State, U Evansville 1, BYU 1, Butler 1, U Dayton 1, Appalachian State 1, Cedarville 1,
Law School 1, PA School 1, Nursing 1, Anaesthology Asst 1, Grad School 2, Biotech 2
Plus: 1 teacher, 1 Ivy Tech prof!
5. Just for fun - a multiple choice question! Which of the following drugs is INCORRECTLY matched with its indication?
A. Forteo - Osteoporosis
B. Infergen - Hepatitic C
C. Nutropin - Human growth hormone
D. Amevive - Relapsing multiple sclerosis
E. Xigris - Sepsis
Copyright Kathleen A. Marrs 1998-2007