Chapter 13 –

Genetic Engineering

An iconic image of genetic engineering;

this 1986 "autoluminograph" of a glowing
transgenic tobacco plant bearing the
luciferase gene of fireflies strikingly
demonstrates the power and potential of
genetic manipulation.

Suzanne Belden, adapted by Suzanna Macedo 2010

 13–1 Changing the Living World
A. Selective Breeding

Selective Breeding – the deliberate breeding

of organisms to produce certain desired traits
 Concept Map
Section 13-1

consists of

which crosses which crosses

for for
example example

which which
 Concept Map
Section 13-1
Selective
Breeding
consists
of

Inbreeding Hybridization
(aka
outbreeding)

which which
crosses crosses

Similar Dissimilar
organisms organisms
for for
example example

Organism Organism Organism

breed A breed A breed B

which which

Retains Combines
desired desired
characteristics characteristics
 1. Inbreeding
Inbreeding – crossing (breeding) of
organisms that have a similar genotype
(often closely related)
Within a few generations, offspring
+ are homozygous for desired traits

Offspring can also carry undesired

- traits ex: pitbulls w/ underbite,
German shepherds with hip
dysplasia
2.Hybridization (aka Outbreeding)
- crossing of distantly related organisms
Combine positive desired traits of both
+
species
Hybrid vigor – hybrids are sometimes
stronger and hardier than parents.

- Hybrids are often sterile (unable to

reproduce

+ =
 13–2 Manipulating DNA
A. The Tools of Molecular Biology
Scientists use their knowledge of the structure of
DNA and its chemical properties to study and
change DNA. Different techniques are used to :
• Extract DNA from cells

• Cut DNA into smaller pieces

• Identify the sequence of bases in a DNA molecule
• Make unlimited copies of DNA

These are all examples of genetic engineering –

any technique used to identify or change genes at
the molecular level
1. DNA Extraction
How is DNA taken
out of a cell? It’s
pretty simple – you
did it in the recent
lab! Chemicals are
used to open the cell
(using detergents)
and the DNA is
separated out from
other cell parts (using
ethanol).
2. Cutting DNA
Most DNA molecules are very large, so
scientists cut them into smaller pieces using
restriction enzymes. There are hundreds of
them, and each cuts DNA at a very precise
place.
Recognition sequences

DNA sequence
 Restriction Enzymes
Section 13-2 Recognition sequences

DNA
sequence

Restriction enzyme EcoRI cuts the

DNA into fragments.

Sticky end
 3. Separating DNA
Gel electrophoresis – a process used to sort DNA
“phore” = move molecules by size

DNA plus
restriction enzyme Power source
Longer
fragments

Shorter
fragments
Gel
Mixture of
DNA
fragments
 B. Using the DNA
Figure Sequence
13-7 DNA Sequencing

1. Reading the Sequence – scientists figure out the

sequence of an unknown strand by synthesizing a
copy using dyed bases. The order of the colored
bands indicates the base sequence.
2. Cutting and Pasting
DNA sequences can be changed by adding in gene
sequences taken from a different organism. This is
known as recombinant DNA – DNA with components
from different organisms.
 Figure 13-8 PCR
In order to study
Section 13-2
DNA polymerase adds
complementary strand

genes, scientists
often like to have
many copies of a DNA heated to
separate strands
gene. The
technique of
polymerase chain DNA fragment
to be copied
reaction (PCR)
helps biologists
to do that.
PCR
cycles 1 3 4 5 etc.
2
DNA
2 16 etc.
copies 1 4 8
 Interest Grabber
13–3 Cell Transformation
Section 13-3

Sneaking In

You probably have heard of computer viruses.

Once inside a computer, these programs follow
their original instructions and override instructions
already in the host computer. Scientists use small
“packages” of DNA to sneak a new gene into a cell,
much as a computer virus sneaks into a computer.

This is called transformation. During

transformation, a cell takes in DNA from
outside the cell. This external DNA becomes
a component of the cell’s DNA.
 Recombinant DNA
Section 13-3

Flanking sequences
match host

Host Cell DNA

Target gene

Recombinant DNA
replaces target
gene
Modified Host Cell DNA
This is accomplished using vectors, a carrier of
Figure 13-9 Making Recombinant DNA
genetic material. Commonly used vectors are viruses
Section 13-3
and plasmids, small circular pieces of bacterial DNA.
Plasmids often have genetic markers, special genes
used to identify the transformed bacteria.
Gene for human
growth hormone
Recombinant
DNA
Gene for human
growth hormone

Human DNA
Cell recombination
Sticky
ends DNA
insertion
Bacterial Cell Bacterial
chromosome

Bacterial cell for

containing gene for
human growth
Plasmid hormone
ntere 13– 4 Applications of Genetic Engineering
Section 13-4

The Good With the Bad

The manipulation of DNA

allows scientists to do some
interesting things. Scientists
have developed many
transgenic organisms, which
are organisms that contain
genes from other organisms.
Recently, scientists have
removed a gene for green
fluorescent protein from a
jellyfish and tried to insert it
into a rabbit. (Rabbit is named
Alba, seen here under UV
light.)
A.Transgenic Organisms

1. Transgenic Microorganisms
Transgenic bacteria now produce many
substances that are important for health or
industry:
• Insulin
• Growth hormone
• Clotting factor
• Cancer fighting substances
• Raw materials for plastics and synthetic
fibers
• Bacteria able to digest oils or other toxic
chemicals
2. Transgenic Animals
Transgenic animals are used to study genes and to
improve food supply.
• Mice with immune systems similar to human
immune system (to study diseases)
• Livestock with extra copies of growth hormone
genes (grow faster and with leaner meat)

3. Transgenic Plants
Transgenic plants are an important part of our food
supply:
• In 2000, 52% of soybeans and 25% of corn grown
in U.S.A. was genetically modified (GM) to be
resistant to weed-killing chemicals. This allows them
to survive when a crop is sprayed with weed-killer.
B.Cloning Figure 13-13 Cloning of the First Mammal
A clone is a member of a population of genetically
Section 13-4
identical cells all produced from a single cell. This is
easy to do with bacteria, not so easy with multicellular
organisms. Dolly was produced in 1997 by Scottish
scientist Ian Wilmut.
Donor
Nucleus
These two cells are fused
A donor cell is taken using an electric shock.
from a sheep’s
udder. Fused Cell
Egg Cell

An egg cell is taken from an The nucleus of

adult female sheep. the egg cell is
removed.
The fused cell
Cloned Lamb
begins dividing
The embryo develops Foster Embryo normally.
normally into a lamb— Mother
Dolly The embryo is placed in the
uterus of a foster mother.
Bioethics
Bioethics is the study of the ethical and moral
implications of new biological discoveries and
biomedical advances.

While much of our genetic engineering work has many

exciting ideas involved, there are also serious
considerations. For example, studies have shown that
cloned animals may suffer from a number of genetic
defects and health problems. Many people oppose
such work. Are we willing to consider these problems
in the cloning of humans?
As these techniques improve, these issues will become
more pressing, and will need to be decided by YOU.