Unit 3 :
Genetic Engineering
You already know
● A gene is a segment of DNA that provides information/code for the synthesis of
proteins
● Di erent genes code for di erent proteins
● Importance of proteins
- Enzymes
- Building material
- Hormones
- Immune response
- Reserve fuel
, What is genetic engineering?
● Also known as genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of genes n an
organism
● To obtain desired characteristics
● Relevant gene from one organism is transferred to another organism's cell
● The organism receiving the gene, that is now genetically modified is known as a
transgenic organism
● This replaces faulty or missing genes that cause disorders/disease
● Ensures that correct protein is synthesized
● The basis of this proses includes
1. The gene is identified in a healthy cell, extracted and cut from the DNA
2. The isolated gene is inserted into the defective cell, by means of vectors 1
3. It becomes integrated into an organism's genome 2
4. The correct protein is synthesised and the correct trait is expressed
● Genetic engineering creates a new DNA sequence in the recipient cell.
● This new DNA is known as Recombinant DNA
e word recombinant refers to the new combination of the DNA in the organism that received
the new gene
● The organism that has the recombinant DNA is the transgenic organism that can
now synthesise the protein coded by the new gene that was inserted
e integration of genes for therapeutic purposes with faulty or missing genes is known as
gene therapy
1
a living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an infected animal to a human or
another animal. Vectors are frequently arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas
and lice. In this case an isolated gene is transferred by the vector of a defective cell.
2
the haploid set of chromosomes in a gamete or microorganism, or in each cell of a
multicellular organism. the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or
organism.
, ere are several enzymes that are commonly used in genetic engineering, some of which
include:
1. Restriction enzymes: These enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific locations, creating
fragments that can be manipulated in various ways.
2. Ligases: These enzymes are used to join DNA fragments together, creating recombinant
DNA molecules.
3. Polymerases: These enzymes are used to amplify DNA sequences through techniques like
PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
4. Reverse transcriptase: This enzyme is used to generate cDNA (complementary DNA) from
an RNA template.
5. Nucleases: These enzymes are used to degrade DNA or RNA, either for cleanup purposes
or as part of a targeted gene editing strategy.
6. Transposases: These enzymes are used to move DNA segments from one location to
another within a genome, or between di erent genomes.
Genetic Engineering
You already know
● A gene is a segment of DNA that provides information/code for the synthesis of
proteins
● Di erent genes code for di erent proteins
● Importance of proteins
- Enzymes
- Building material
- Hormones
- Immune response
- Reserve fuel
, What is genetic engineering?
● Also known as genetic modification, is the direct manipulation of genes n an
organism
● To obtain desired characteristics
● Relevant gene from one organism is transferred to another organism's cell
● The organism receiving the gene, that is now genetically modified is known as a
transgenic organism
● This replaces faulty or missing genes that cause disorders/disease
● Ensures that correct protein is synthesized
● The basis of this proses includes
1. The gene is identified in a healthy cell, extracted and cut from the DNA
2. The isolated gene is inserted into the defective cell, by means of vectors 1
3. It becomes integrated into an organism's genome 2
4. The correct protein is synthesised and the correct trait is expressed
● Genetic engineering creates a new DNA sequence in the recipient cell.
● This new DNA is known as Recombinant DNA
e word recombinant refers to the new combination of the DNA in the organism that received
the new gene
● The organism that has the recombinant DNA is the transgenic organism that can
now synthesise the protein coded by the new gene that was inserted
e integration of genes for therapeutic purposes with faulty or missing genes is known as
gene therapy
1
a living organism that transmits an infectious agent from an infected animal to a human or
another animal. Vectors are frequently arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, fleas
and lice. In this case an isolated gene is transferred by the vector of a defective cell.
2
the haploid set of chromosomes in a gamete or microorganism, or in each cell of a
multicellular organism. the complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or
organism.
, ere are several enzymes that are commonly used in genetic engineering, some of which
include:
1. Restriction enzymes: These enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific locations, creating
fragments that can be manipulated in various ways.
2. Ligases: These enzymes are used to join DNA fragments together, creating recombinant
DNA molecules.
3. Polymerases: These enzymes are used to amplify DNA sequences through techniques like
PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
4. Reverse transcriptase: This enzyme is used to generate cDNA (complementary DNA) from
an RNA template.
5. Nucleases: These enzymes are used to degrade DNA or RNA, either for cleanup purposes
or as part of a targeted gene editing strategy.
6. Transposases: These enzymes are used to move DNA segments from one location to
another within a genome, or between di erent genomes.
