Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)

1. Adding a foreign gene - creates a transgenic organism
2. Alter an existing gene
3. Delete or turn off a gene

Applications

1. Improve crops (can be made to grow in less than idea environments, be pest resistant, or have longer shelf lives)
2. Environmental (bacteria can be used to clean up oil spills)
3. Vaccines
4. Medicine (bacteria can create insulin and other hormones efficiently in the lab)
5. Livestock improvement

Recombinant DNA Technology - how do you change a gene

Simple steps

1. Select the desired gene (or genes) to be inserted into the organism
2. Cut two DNA molecules into fragments with special restriction enzymes
3. Splice the fragments together in the desired combination
4. Introduce the new DNA into a living cell for replication

**Plasmid: A small, circular piece of DNA found in the cytoplasm of many bacteria; often used in recombinant DNA technology

*Recombinant DNA is often abbreviated as rDNA to denote that it has foreign genes(DNA) inserted into its genome.

In regular light, Alba appears like any other furry white rabbit. But place her under a black light, and her eyes, whiskers and fur glow an otherworldly green. Genes borrowed from a jellyfish make alba glow. See full story.

Restriction Enzymes

1. Cuts a double stranded DNA molecule at its specific recognition site
2. Can create sticky ends which are used to bind to new DNA or blunt ends
3. Pieces can be joined together using DNA ligase, a process called ligation

4. Now that the DNA is cut, the foreign DNA with the same cut can be added and it will bind to sticky ends.

 

1. Explain the following terms and their role in recombinant DNA technology

a) Restriction enzyme __________________________________________________________________
b) Recognition site ____________________________________________________________________
c) Sticky end ________________________________________________________________________
d) Ligation ___________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe three ways in which an organism can be genetically modified
____________________________________________________________________________________