Text Readings in Lewis
Chapters 13 - 16 Review It Can't Be! pgs 362 and 281 Using Human Genome Information, pgs 302-303 From Genetics to Biotechnology, pgs 334-335 Genes To The Rescue, pgs 326 and 345 New Routes to Plant Reproduction pgs 558-559 Preembryos as Research Subjects pgs 224-225

The text book has limited information concerning the topic of biotechnology so I have tried to provide web links that should provide the needed background information. I hope you find them to be interesting and understandable. We will supplement this information with activities in lab and discussion to help you understand biotechnology.

For feedback, post possible answers and ideas in the folder"Text 'Review' and 'To Think About' Questions" in the Biology Chat Section of Web Crossing.

Objectives
After studying this material you should be able to:

1. Draw a diagram or write a description of the action of restriction enzymes in the cutting of DNA molecules into "restriction fragments".

2. Define the term Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs) and describe how they are separated by electrophoresis and identified using DNA probes.

3. Outline a procedure for isolating a specific gene from a eukaryotic organism, incorporating it into a recombinant plasmid, and inserting it into a bacterial cell to produce a gene product.

   donor DNA	restriction enzyme
   restriction site	sticky ends
   plasmid	recombinant DNA
   ligase	vector

4. List examples of vectors or techniques in addition to recombiant bacterial plasmids used to produce transgenic cells or organisms. List some of the proposed benefits and uses of transgenic organisms.

   virus	retro virus
   liposomes	chemical
   electroporation	microinjection
   particle bombardment	plant tumor bacteria
   protoplast fusion

Web resources:

• Understanding Gene Testing
  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
  Public Health Service National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
  Accessed from Access Excellence a web site managed by Genentech, a biotechnology company in California

  These sites contain a wealth of information concerning genetics, DNA, and Biotechnology. I will include links to specific topics in the body of the outlines for this lecture and lectures 18 and 19, however I invite you to explore on your own. There might be potential net surfer projects here.

• Access Excellence Graphics Gallery

• Principles Of Biotechnology North Central Regional Extension Publication Iowa State University - University Extension

• Biotechnology - The Future from Access Excellence

• The Washington Biotechnology Action Council This organization provides an alternative view of the potential benefits of biotechnology

• Enter a keyword or words to search (Access Excellence) A Wealth of Biotechnology Links

• How do scientists develop predictive gene tests? (Access Excellence)

• Restriction Enzyme Cutting DNA (Access Excellence)

• Web Crossing Supplement - Electrophoresis and DNA Analysis

• Autoradiograph of electrophoresis gel from The National Human Genome Research Institute

• See Lewis' text, pages 314-315.
  • DNA Probes
    
  • RFLPs (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms)
  • Electrophoresis

• See Lewis' Text page 334-335

• Restriction Enzyme Action (Access Excellence)

• Inserting a DNA Sample into a Plasmid (Access Excellence)

• Plasmid Insertion (Access Excellence)

• Transfer and Cloning of the Insulin Gene (Access Excellence)

• Restriction Enzymes Background Paper Access Excellence Classic Collection

Transgenic Organisms

• Is Making Clones Making Trouble, (from the Exploratorium)

• Dolly: An Unsettling Breakthrough (from Pathfinder.com - TIME on-line)

• Green Genes Gerald R. Fink, Ph.D. Looking for ways to produce stronger, healthier, more marketable plants with DNA technology (From Access excellence)

  This is a series of web pages that looks at ways of incorporating new genes into plants.

  Some specific techniques and examples are presented in this series at:

  • Totipotent Regeneration
  • Incorporating the New DNA
  • The Plant Gun
  • Insect Resistance and Controlling Plant Ripening

• The Biopharmaceuticals -FDA-Approved Biopharmaceutical Drugs and Vaccines

• Herman the Bull

• Enter a keyword or words to search (Access Excellence)
  Do a search here for "transgenic" for a definition and more information about transgenic organisms.

Take me home.