Our w orld is changing fast. Ho w do w e respond to …...Our w orld is changing fast. Ho w do w e...
Transcript of Our w orld is changing fast. Ho w do w e respond to …...Our w orld is changing fast. Ho w do w e...
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.