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Future of Genetic Recombination
Theory:
Genetic recombination involves the replacement of genes from one strain with genes from a genetically different strain. It is commonly used for DNA repair and has many prospective applications for future use.
Edible Vaccines:
- Cholera is a bacteria that colonizes the intestines and produces enterotoxins (proteins) that invade the intestinal mucosal cells, leading to a large secretion of water causing diarrhea, dehydration, etc.
- New technology to attack cholera geared at genetically engineering plants to act as vaccines
1) Foreign gene inserted into plant genome
2) Transcription and translation
3) Transgenic plant with foreign gene product produced
- Immunization takes place when the plants are eaten and the antigen initiates the production of antibodies to defend against infections by bacteria.
- Charles Arntzen of Cornell University is looking into the production of edible vaccines in bananas and tomatoes.8
Promising Results:
- Canada: potato-producing vaccines can prevent juvenile diabetes
- France: using corn to alleviate effects of cystic fibrosis8
Issues to still be addressed:
- Dosage: plants vary in the concentration of antigen present, so can maybe switch to capsules with plant extracts.
- Ethical Issues: some countries are against genetically engineered foods.8
Molecular Farming 1
Cloning:
- Plasmids are extrachromosomal forms of DNA in most bacteria
1) A gene of interest is introduced into the plasmid
2) Bacteria is used as a viral vector
3) Reproduction of plasmid, increasing the amount of recombinant DNA present4
Vector - a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to transfer foreign genetic material into another cell. The four major types of vectors are plasmids, bacteriophages and other viruses, cosmids, and artificial chromosomes.
Gene Therapy:
Involves the inserting of a gene of interest into cells to treat diseases and/or replace mutant genes with functional ones
Germ Line Gene Therapy
- Gene therapy would take place in germ cells (sperm or eggs), allowing the change in genes to be inherited.
- Would be useful in counteracting genetic disorder.8
Somatic Gene Therapy
- Gene therapy would take place in somatic cells
- Changes will take effect only in the individual; changes will not be inherited8
Vector illustration13
Watch and see how gene therapy is being applied today...
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