DNA Technology and Genomics

What was the Human Genome Project?

The goals of the HGP were to determine the nucleotide sequence of all DNA in the human genome. As of 2007, there remain many gaps unknown still. However, for the most part, it has been determined within 99.9999% accuracy.

What is genetic engineering?

The branch of biotechnology dealing in manipulating the DNA of organisms for practical purposes. For example, a few years back they genetically engineered a type of potato that grew leaves with a bacteria that killed potato bugs, making them pest-resistant and thus decreased their need for pesticides.

What happened to smallpox?

Smallpox was virtually eradicated from the world due to effective vaccines. This was made possible by using a harmless variant. But not only that, now that they have made this harmless variant, they are able to genetically alter it to induce immunity to other diseases.


The Facts:
-Recombinant DNA is formed when scientists combine nucleotide sequences from two different sources to form a single DNA strand
-Complementary DNA represents only the subset of genes that had been transcribed into mRNA in the starting cells.
-Nucleic acid process are used to find a specific gene or other nucleotide sequence within a mass of DNA
-Insulin is made in E. coli
-A vaccine is made of a harmless variant of a harmful pathogen
-Genetically modified organisms have acquired genes by artificial means
-DNA profiling is what finally convicted Clinton of his affair
-Genomics is the study of a complete set of genes
-Whole-genome shotgun method is a method that skips right from mapping to sequencing
-Ti Plasmids are used to introduce new genes into plant cells 



Some Key Terms:
-Biotechnology: the manipulation of organisms or their components to make useful products
-Plasmids: Small, circular DNA molecules that replicate separately from the much larger bacterial chromosome
-Gene therapy: Alternation of afflicted individual's genes
-Forensics: The scientific analysis of evidence for crime scene investigations
-DNA profiling: The analysis of DNA fragments to determine whether they come from a particular individual
-DNA ligase: an enzyme that joins two DNA molecules by covalent bonds
-Restriction Site: A DNA sequence is recognized by this enzyme
-Gel electrophoresis: A technique of studying DNA with gel used as a molecular sieve to separate macromolecules on the basis of size
-Polymerase chain reaction: A specific segment of a DNA molecule can be targeted and amplified in a test tube
-Repetitive DNA: DNA that consists of nucleotide sequences that are present in multiple copies in the genome

Diagram:

This is a picture roughly describing the process of gene therapy. In this particular instance, a helpful gene has been placed in a virus with an extreme capacity for reproduction. Then this is placed in a human cell, which is then duplicated to a point where it helps whatever problem that existed.










Summary:

This chapter was about how we've essentially "figured out" DNA and the benefits that come from that. Mostly it talks about practical application such as in crime scene investigation. It talks a lot about different techniques such as gel electrophoresis, STR analysis and the whole-genome shotgun method.
But it moves on to talk about the Human Genome Project, and while the entire genome may still have some gaps in it, it is still very helpful now that we have much of it mapped. Having the genome mapped may shed some light on the divergence of human and primate evolution.


A Cool Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl7ggCqr79s