Recombinant DNA and Genetic engineering
March 8, 2000

Readings: Chapter 15, cover page, 15.1 - 15.4, 15.7 - 15.11, Ch 12.5 (Dolly the sheep)
Warm Up for this week: due Weds AM as usual

"Our results suggest that, contrary to previous opinion, mammals can be reproducibly cloned from adult somatic cells."

--T. Wakayama et al., in their July 1998 Nature paper describing the cloning of a mouse from a single adult somatic cell.

Outline: I. Recombinant DNA II. Working with DNA fragments III. DNA fingerprints and Forensics IV. Genetically engineered bacteria, animals, and plants V. Cloming animals - Dolly and Cumulina VI. Human gene therapy VII. GenEthics: The ethical implications of genetic engineering

Recombinant DNA and Genetic engineering

How is DNA used for scientific experiments, or to develop life-saving drugs for humans, or to determine who was at a particular crime scene?

I. Recombinant DNA Technology - cutting and pasting to 'clone' DNA

Plasmids (Fig 15.3)

What is a plasmid and how does it differ from a bacterial chromosome? Draw a plasmid.

Restriction Enzymes (Table 15.1, Fig 15.4)

II. Working with DNA fragments

Electrophoresis

DNA sequencing (Fig 15.8)

PCR

The Human Genome Project

 

III. DNA Fingerprints and Forensics

DNA Fingerprints:

RFLPs, (restriction fragment length polymorphisms)

More than you want to know...

Did he or didn't he? (I): OJ and the Bloody Glove

Did he or didn't he? (II): Bill and the Blue Dress

IV. Genetically engineered bacteria, animals, and plants

Bacteria, hard at work so you can be healthy...

Recombinant drugs made in bacteria

GM (Genetically Modified) Foods

V. Cloning animals - Dolly and Cumulina

Cloning animals from somatic cells

Dolly

Cumulina

 

VI. Human gene therapy

ADA Deficiency

The death of Jesse Gelsinger

VII. GenEthics: The Ethical Implications of Genetic Engineering

We may discuss in class (if there is time and interest):

1. Who owns your genes? (Hint: its not you)

2. Should society permit germ cells (eggs, sperm) be genetically modified?

3. Should society permit research using hES human embryonic stem cells ?

4. Would "genetic discrimination" result if insurance companies or employers knew that a person had tested positive for a disease gene?

5. Should society permit human cloning?

6. Should society permit eugenetic engineering (selecting and perpetuating "desirable" human traits)?

 

Objectives: 1. Explain what a plasmid is. Know the natural function of plasmids in bacteria and how they are used in genetic engineering. 2. Explain what a restriction enzyme is. Know the natural function of restriction enzymes in bacteria and how they are used in genetic engineering. 3. How are bacteria used to produce eukaryotic proteins? List at least 3 human proteins made in bacteria that are used as life-saving pharmaceuticals. 4. Explain the process of DNA sequencing. What is the human genome project? 5. How can RFLPs be used to determine a person's DNA fingerprint? 6. What is PCR and how does it amplify DNA? 7. How does gene cloning differ from cloning animals? 8. Explain the process that created Dolly, and the result of that cloning. 9. What is gene therapy and what is one disease that is currently treated by gene therapy. 10. What are human ES cells and why are they useful in treating human diseases?