BiotechnologyBiology 2008-2009

Technology: the application of scientific advances to benefit humanity

Biotechnology: The use of living organisms or their products (example: milk) to make or modify a new substance.

During this biotechnology unit we will be using the knowledge we have built about chemistry and biology to discover new uses for living organisms. Some of this

information may be uncomfortable to hear about. I ask that you learn with an open mind, but use your

values and judgments to better understand the current scientific culture.

Genetic Tranformation•how the genes from one living organism can be transferred to another living organism•why genetic transformation is being done•pros and cons of genetic transformation•pGlo Lab: Genetically Transformed E.Coli Bacteria

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)•why organisms are genetically modified•examples of organisms that are genetically modified•pros and cons to genetically modified organisms

Cloning•how is a living organism cloned•examples of organisms that are being cloned•pros and cons of cloning any living organism

Genetic Transformation

The Genetic Creation of Glowing Bacteria

Genetic Transformation: Change caused by genes; inserting the genes from one organism into another organism Green Flourescent Protein (GFP):The protein created in the jellyfish when the gene for bioluminescence (glowing) is expressed

Plasmid:Circular piece of DNA in a bacterial cell; can be passed from one bacteria to another easily; usually contains genes for traits beneficial to survival.

LB: Luria Broth; food for the bacteria so that they can multiply quickly (clone themselves)

Antibiotic: drug that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria

Ampicillin: A type of antibiotic that destroys E.Coli under normal conditions

pGLO: GFP gene & Antibiotic Resistance gene

Arabanose: Sugar that “turns on” the GFP gene

You will recognize the flow chart below which represents protein synthesis (gene expression). Complete flow chart #1 and then use this information to complete flow chart #2. 

1. DNA → RNA → protein → Genetic Characteristic (Trait) 

2. DNA → RNA → GFP → bioluminescence (glowing)

Materials7 sterile loops 1 petri dish (LB)6 sterile pipettes 2 petri dishes (LB/Amp)2 small collection tubes 1 petri dish (LB/Amp/Ara)1 floating foam antibacterial soap1 sharpie masking tapeIce bath Warm water bath (42^C)Incubator (37^C)

Safety•Wash hands thoroughly before and after lab.•Wash hands immediately after any handling of the bacteria.•Report any spills to the teacher immediately.•Dispose of all contaminated loops, pipettes, and collection tubes in the designated trash cans.•For additional information about E.Coli refer to the supplemental poster.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. To genetically transform an entire organism, you must insert the new gene into every cell in the organism. Would a bacteria or a human be easier to genetically transform? bacteria

2. List two examples of why bacteria are more easily transformed than a human.

1. Single celled; only need to change the DNA of one organism to change its traits.

2. Multiply quickly so that we can see a result quickly

PredictionsFour Petri dishes will be used to grow bacteria under different

conditions. There will be abbreviations on each Petri dish to help explain the conditions under which the bacteria will be grown.

What does each abbreviation mean?

•LB: Luria Broth (bacteria food)

•Amp: Ampicillin (antibiotic that destroys E.Coli)

•Ara: Arabanose (sugar that turns GFP gene on)

•+pGLO: Contains GFP gene and Antibiotic Resistance Gene

•-pGLO: Does not contain “new” genes; regular bacteria

Petri DishExplanation of

Conditions (Petri Dish Contents)

Hypothesize growth on Petri dishes

Grow? Glow?

Observation of Petri dishes after several

days

Grow? Glow?

+pGlo/LB/Amp

*GFP & Antibiotic Resistance Gene *Luria Broth (bacteria food)*Ampicillin (antibiotic)

+pGlo/LB/Amp/Ara

* GFP & Antibiotic Resistance Gene* Luria Broth (bacteria food)* Ampicillin (antibiotic)* Arabanose

-pGlo/LB/Amp

* No new genes* Luria Broth (bacterial food)* Ampicillin (antibiotic)

-pGLO/LB

* No new genes* Luria Broth (bacterial food)

GMOs : Genetically Modified OrganismsComputer Exploration

Objectives!

•Define GMOs and Genetic Engineering

•Identify 7 steps to Genetic Engineering

•Provide examples of how Genetic Engineering is being used

•Identify GMO foods and why they have been genetically

altered

•Identify one Pro and one Con for Genetically Modified

Organisms

•Extra Credit: Computer simulation of Selective Breeding vs.

Transgenic Manipulation

Making a Clone (in 6 easy steps!)

Step One: An egg cell (female gamete) is collected and the nucleus containing the genetic information for that organism is removed.

Egg Cell Egg Cell without a nucleus

Step Two: A cell is collected from the organism you wish to clone and the nucleus is removed.

Skin Cell

Step Three: The nucleus from the adult skin cell is placed in the empty egg cell

Skin Cell Empty Egg Cell

Step Four: Add a “ZAP” of electricity to “jump start” the egg into developing. In a few short days, the cells will have divided into several cells through mitosis. This stage of development is called an embryo.

Step Five: The embryo is implanted into a surrogate mother who will allow the clone to develop inside of their body.

Step Six: In a few short months, a baby is born!

Who will the baby look like? Circle one…

Donor of Egg Cell, Donor of Nucleus (skin cell), Surrogate Mother

The Clone Age

www.unitedstreaming.comUsername: OH_ND_HS

Password: KnightsSearch: The Clone Age

Describe Procedure Pros Cons1. The _____________ of a donor cell is removed.2. The nucleus of an __________ cell is removed.3. The nucleus from the donor cell is inserted into the __________ cell.4. _________________ is applied to encourage the egg to begin developing into an embryo.5. The embryo is implanted into a ____________________ mother.6. Once the clone has fully developed, the surrogate mother gives birth to the clone.

1. Cloning animals with “good” genetics could help farmers (more meat).

2. Cloning endangered species could revive the species.

1. Humans could be cloned for their body parts.

2. Trying to clone humans will not work the first time. What do we do with the mistakes?

CLONING

Electricity Nucleus Egg Surrogate

Describe Procedure Pros Cons1. The desired ________ is removed from the organism that naturally contains the gene.2. The gene is then spliced into the DNA of the organism you wish to add the new gene to.3. The _________________ organism will begin to produce the “new” proteins and display a new _______________.

1. Could create needed human proteins using bacteria.

2. Increase nutritional value of foods in poor countries.

1. Expensive to develop.

2. We don’t know the long term effects of eating GMO foods.

3. No labels on GMO foods.

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS

Transgenic Gene Trait

MedicalUsing bacteria to make insulin for diabetic humans.

1. Provides needed human proteins using transgenic bacteria.

1. Expensive. Research to develop takes a long time.

FoodsCorn that has been genetically changed to resist insects.

1. Farmers will not have to spray chemical insecticides on crops.

1. We don’t know long term effects of eating transgenic foods

2. People with allergies cannot be sure if they will have a reaction.

AnimalsSheep that include a human gene which produces proteins that can be used by humans as medicine.

1. Provides easy treatment to humans who are missing essential proteins.

1. Expensive. About 4 million dollars to produce one transgenic sheep

2. Unsure of side effects.

Examples of Genetic Modification