Our world is changing fast.How do we respond to this?

Alternative lifestyle and technologies

Alternative fuel sourcesHybrid enginesNanotechnologyBiotechnology/molecular biology

Technology

Human application of knowledge to the making of tools and the use of natural resources

allows human beings to live a certain quality of life

Biological tools to improve the quality of life

Improve species according to human needs

Appearance

Yield

Use

Productivity

Propagate organisms with desired traits

Biotechnology

Biotechnology

refers to the use of living organisms or their products to solve problems and improve the human way of life.

It has been used to make beverages, cheese, and breadimprove characteristics of plant and animals develop unlimited sources of therapeutic drugs and more nutritious, pest-resistant crops

Molecular biology

biology at the molecular level concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interrelationship of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis and learning how these interactions are regulated*to understand mechanisms of life and to influence the way these mechanisms work

Genetic engineering (improvement of characteristics)Cloning (propagation of species with desired characteristics)

GATTACA

GATTACA

Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) no genetic manipulation as embryoregarded as a socially inferior genetic “defects”

poor eyesightweak heartnot expected to live past 30

In his desire to travel to other planets, (only for VALIDs), Vincent takes on the identity of Jerome, a VALID who is paraplegic because of a car accident.

How species can be improved?Weapon's Name: Tentacle WarriorSpecies: Genetically Improved Human.

Genes used: human, tyderian worm, frunobulax giant ape.Sex: not applicableAge: not applicable

Height: 6'2" (stalk 20' long)Physical Description: Mix between Human and Tyderian Worm; hands genetically enhanced, cybernetically

enhanced muscles, Power armor melt to skeleton for improved maneuvrability.Personality: The mindless Tentacle Warrior is controlled by a central computer regulating its behaviour to fit the needs of its owner. It is held in special tanks where the nutrient substances flowing in its organism are filtrated and

circulated. Special repulsorlift and starships are specifically designed to feed tentacle warriors during long journeys. The TW can stay for as much as four days without the Body Renewal Tank, then it will put itself into a

coma which will last for as much as a week before decaying process begins.A Quote:"State your business, please" (aiming with the Trident Beam)Background: Unknown

SKILLS SECTIONDexterity:2D. Blaster 6D(+2), Brawling Parring 5D, Dodge 4D+2

Knowledge: 1D. Willpower 6D (it's not his; it's the main computer's!).Mechanical: 2D. Sensors 4D, Communications 4D.Perception:1D. Search 5D.

Strength: 5D. Brawling 8D, Lifting 7D, Stamina 5DTechnical: 1D.

SPECIAL ABILITIESThe tentacle warrior can be programmed (being a cyborg) to suit the needs of its owner. Normal rules and costs for droid programming do apply.

EQUIPMENT & WEAPONSTargeting Helmet: +2 to Blaster

Plasteel Armor: +2D against physical attack, +1D against blasters and lasers.Trident Beam: Blaster Rifle: 5D; Short Range Magnetic Pulse: 6D (disables droids and machinery); Cannon Laser: 4D+2 (speeder scale). The Magnetic Pulse and the Cannon Laser can fire once every round.

Ammo: Blaster:200; Magnetic Pulse: 20; Cannon Laser: 15.Restraining Bolt: Controlled both by the Main Computer and by a remote controlled by the owner. For details on

the Rydax Venom and on the restraining bolt, see the precedent page.Move:7/12Force Points: No

Force Sensitive: NoDark Side Points: No

www.sensible.it

How species can be improved?

traditionally through sexual reproduction

Without sexual reproduction, selectively advantageous alleles of one individual cannot be combined with those of another.

With sexual reproduction, traits of one individual are combined are combined with those of another.

How can species be improved?

Through genetic engineering, without sexual reproduction.

Target particular desirable traits in an organism

Incorporate the trait in an organism

Find an organism with the trait.

Determine gene related to the trait.

Incorporate this gene into DNA of the target organism.

Production of pharmaceuticals

This genetically engineered goat produces antithrombin III, which is secreted in their milk.- Biology (Mader)

Increased resistance to pest

Genetically engineered cotton boll (left) resists cotton boll larvae and will go on to produce a normal yield of cotton.-Biology, Mader

Increased resistance to virus

This transgenic squash has been genetically engineered to resist viruses and, therefore, to out-produce other squash that grow in the wild. What could be the effects if it is hybridized with a regular squash? create a “superweed” -Biology, Mader

Food Crops Source of New Genes Purpose of Engineering

Potato

Chicken,

Giant Silk Moth

Greater Wax Moth,

Virus

Bacteria

Increased disease resistance

Increased disease resistance

Reduced bruising damage

Increased disease resistance

Increased herbicide tolerance

Corn Wheat, Firefly Bacteria

Reduced insect damage

Introduction of marker genes

Increased herbicide tolerance

Tomato Flounder, Virus, Bacteria

Reduced freezing damage

Increased disease resistance

Reduced insect damage

Soybean Petunia Bacteria Increased herbicide tolerance

Rice Bean, pea, BacteriaIntroduction of new storage

proteins

Cantaloupe, Cucumber,

Squash

Virus Increased disease resistance

Sunflower Brazil nut Introduction of new storage

Walnut Bacteria Reduced insect damage

Apple Bacteria Reduced insect damage

Catfish Trout, virus Faster growth

How can species with desired characteristics be propagated?

Traditionally, through “controlled” sexual reproduction for animalsthrough asexual reproduction of plants (includes cloning)

DNA double helix

Nature, 2 April 1953

Gene: length of the DNA that controls a particular trait, controls the synthesis of one protein

Imagine the genome to be a book:

Chapters: CHROMOSOMES (23 for humans)Several thousands of stories per chapter: GENESEach story is made up of paragraphs (EXONS) interrupted by ads (INTRONS)Each paragraph is made up of words: CODONSEach word is written in letters: BASES

-Matt Ridley, Genome, NY: HarperCollins 1999.

Chromosomes

Human Genome Project

• Jointly announced by Craig Venter (Celera) and Francis Collins (NIH) on June 26, 2000

Mapping the chemical sequences for human DNA is a

breakthrough that is expected to revolutionize the practice

of medicine

Genes that govern biological functions and determine

susceptibility to illnesses

Mapping involves: sequencing, assembling, and annotating

the genes

Sequencing: identification of ca. 3.5 billion bases that make

up human DNA

Assembling: correct ordering of bases to enable "reading“

of each gene

Annotating: identifying each gene and its function

• genetic map of chromosome X

• gene maps

gene related to obesity

Gene: the length of the DNA that

controls a particular traitcontrols the synthesis of one protein structures

structurekeratin albumin collagen

enzymesamylase

hormonesinsulin

InsulinPolypeptide hormone secreted by the pancreas.

stimulates breakdown of glucose (glycolysis)

promotes entry of glucose into muscle and fat cells

Type I Diabetes: or diabetes milletus; due to insufficient insulin synthesis, increased destruction, ineffective action.

Type II Diabetes: insulin resistance, e.g. due to defective receptors

Central dogma to molecular biology

Coded genetic information in the DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA which contains information to make protein.

Gene to protein

http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/dna/index.html

transcription: mRNA: a working copy of the DNA a duplicate of the portion defining the gene

publications.nigms.nih.gov/.../ chapter1.html accessed 08.21.06

Translationtranslation: The mRNA moves to ribosomes (wound up strands of rRNA)

amino acid

t-RNA

protein

m-RNAribosome

The Genetic code

GAGCUC

amino acidLEU

t-RNA

codon

anti-codon

In the genetic code, each group of three nucleotides—known as a "triplet" or "codon"—stands for a specific amino acid.

For example:

• GCA = alanine

• AGA = arginine

• AGC = serine

Translation

What do muscles, hair and the

hormone insulin have in

common? They all consist of

proteins.

Proteins are the building blocks

of our cells.

four different letters= 100,000 or

so different kinds of protein

molecules with different

functions

• collagen is composed of repeating units of glycine and proline

• strength and durability

• elastin is composed of proline, alanine, valine, leucine and glycine, and smaller alanine-rich domains

• elastic

Information processing: the storage, transmission, combination, and comparison of messages.

transcription translationRNA protein

replication

DNA

catalysis and control

Flow of Genetic Information

Genetic information stored in more stable DNA, and RNA is relegated into the role of working copy.

The modern gene-protein link becomes established.

translationRNA protein

replication

DNAtranscription

reverse transcription

catalysis and control

Similarities of genome

Human individuals: 99.9%Humans and chimps: 98.77%Humans and fruit fly: ~60%

• Traditionally, individual traits may be combined through sexual reproduction.

In genetic engineering, individual genes from an organism may be inserted in the DNA of another.

How is genetic modification achieved?

Identify traits that they want to incorporate into a host organism. Identify/locate the section or sections of the donor organism’s DNA that encodes for the particular trait in question. knock-outs: if they remove a section, what trait will not be expressed/ will be affected?trials: correlation of gene with trait

Recombinant DNA

“Cut” the segment of the DNA molecule using restriction enzymes. over a hundred restriction enzymeseach cuts in a very precise way a specific base sequence of the DNA moleculecan be used singly or in various combinations

“Paste” or splice the segment into plasmid DNAa special kind of DNA that takes a circular form found in bacteria cells, separate from and smaller than the bacterial chromosome able to pass readily from one cell to another, even when the cells are clearly from different speciescan be used as a vehicle or “vector” for this editing job“Glue” segment into place using DNA ligase

Insert recombinant plasmid DNA to the bacteria, so that the cell can process the instructions to assemble the amino acids for protein productionThe new instructions are passed along to the next generation of bacterial cells in the process known as gene cloning.