Advances in Genetics

Advances in Genetics By: Tess Branning, Patrick Dancel, and Romy Sidelsky

Identical Twins • Except for identical twins, all people have different DNA. • Identical twins have identical DNA. They come from the same fertilized egg, which had only one complete set of DNA in the first place. That fertilized egg and its single set of DNA split to form twin embryos-each with its own set of DNA, identical to the other. source

Genome • A genome is all the DNA in an organism, including its genes. Genes carry information for making all the proteins required by all organisms. These proteins determine, among other things, how the organism looks, how well its body metabolizes food or fights infection, and sometimes even how it behaves.

Goal for The HGP • The main goal of The Human Genome Project is to prepare an encyclopedia that shows the DNA sequence of every gene. • The HGP was completed in 2003 after 13 years of studies. In the earlier years, the U.K. became an important partner in HGP, additional contributions came from Japan, France, Germany, and China. Source

DNA Fingerprinting DNA fingerprinting is a term that has been used in the scientific world for many years. It is basically a way to find out if the DNA from one piece of evidence is a match to the other DNA. Ninety-nine percent of human DNA is identical between individuals, but the 1% that differs enables scientists to distinguish identity. The DNA alphabet is made up of four building blocks – A, C, T and G, called base pairs, which link together to string long words.. The order in which these 4 DNA letters are used determines the meaning (function) of the words, or genes, that they spell. Source

Solving Crimes with Fingerprinting • Solve this crime… DNA Fingerprinting is used to identify people. It is a technique that measures a person’s DNA. Everyone except for identical twins has a unique genetic code. This means that DNA fingerprints are almost always unique. DNA extracted from a person’s cells - such as cheek, skin or blood cells - can be used to generate a DNA fingerprint. DNA fingerprinting has widespread applications. Most commonly it is used to identify criminals, to establish paternity and to identify dead bodies. It is not only used to identify humans, it can be used to identify anything that contains DNA.

In all DNA results, the strands of DNA are set into lanes with gel. The DNA forms a band, or the white lines on the gel. The pieces of DNA can then be separated according to their size on a gel. This is how you identify if the DNA matches. The smallest pieces travel the furthest and are therefore closest to the bottom of the gel. The larger pieces travel shorter distances and are closer to the top. Identifying DNA (ABOVE: DNA from six different people. )

Genetic Engineering in Bacteria • Genetic engineering: The control of all the normal activities of a bacterium depends on its single chromosome and the small rings of genes which are called plasmids. In genetic engineering, pieces of chromosome from a different organism can be inserted into a plasmid. This allows the bacteria to make a new substance.

Genetic Engineering Steps Steps In Genetic Engineering (Picture To The Right) 1)The gene the genetic engineers want may be in a human chromosome. It might be the gene for insulin production. 2)They use an enzyme to cut the insulin gene out of the chromosome. 3)Plasmids are then removed from bacterial cells 4)The plasmids are cut open with an enzyme 5)A human insulin gene is inserted into each plasmid 6)The genetic engineers encourage the bacteria to accept the genetically modified plasmids 7)Bacteria with the insulin gene are then multiplied 8)Each bacterium will produce a tiny volume of insulin 9)By culturing the genetically engineered bacteria limitless supplies of insulin may be produced.

Other Uses of Genetic Engineering Genetic engineering is used for the production of substances which used to be both expensive and difficult to produce, some examples are…. 1)Insulin for the control of diabetes 2)Antibiotics such as penicillin 3)Various vaccines for the control of disease

Benefits of Genetic Engineering Insulin is a particularly successful example of the benefits of genetic engineering. The need for insulin is rapidly increasing for these reasons: 1) Diabetes often does not occur until old age 2) People live longer and better treatment means many more patients survive to old age 3) The world population is increasing In addition to the fact that genetically engineered bacteria are able to produce as much insulin as is needed, there are other advantages. Some of these are: 1) Purifying insulin from the pancreas of slaughtered cattle and pigs was slow and expensive 2)Production from genetically modified bacteria is both quick and relatively cheap 3) Some patients were allergic to animal insulin 4) Some patients did not like using a product form slaughtered animals 5) The insulin produced by bacteria as a result of genetic engineering is pure human insulin

Advantages of Genetic Engineering Genetic engineering has several advantages over selective breeding. Some examples include, 1) Particular single characteristics can be selected 2) The selection may be quicker 3) A desirable characteristic can be transferred from one species to another

Dangers of Genetic Engineering • There are dangers involved with genetic engineering since it involves creating completely new strains of bacteria. There is a possibility of creating some which are harmful to animal or plant life.

Gene Therapy • Gene therapy is used by researches to try to correct some genetic disorders. It involves inserting working copies of a gene directly into a cells of the person with the genetic disorder.

Games and Movies • Human Genome Movie • DNA Building Games

Sources • Cornell University • Singapore Science Centre • Human Genome Information • The Naked Scientists • DNA Interactive • Scotland University • Lasker Foundation

Advances in Genetics