Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering: Applications and Techniques
Biotechnology vs. Traditional Genetic Engineering
Traditional genetic engineering is slow, requiring many generations to achieve desired traits. It involves recombining genetic material of the same species without directly manipulating the DNA sequence of genes.
Biotechnology, on the other hand, allows for rapid genetic changes in a single generation. It enables the recombination of DNA from different species and the production of new genes.
Key Concepts
- Recombinant DNA Technology: A procedure involving
Biotechnology: Genes, Applications, and Recombinant DNA
Genes and Genomes
Genes are units that contain information to manifest a heritable trait in a living being. As protein molecules are responsible for the structure and functions of a phenotype, it is called the phenotype. Genes are arranged in long chains that form the chromosomes, which are present in all cells of a living being. The latter represents the whole genome of an individual’s genes and contains all the necessary genetic information.
Biotechnology Applications for Agriculture
The following
Read MoreBiotechnology and Genetic Engineering Applications
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
Biotechnology is the set of techniques and processes that manipulate the genetic material of living beings to obtain different substances of interest to humans and the environment. Biotechnology is used in various applications such as production (hormones, drugs, etc.), improving agricultural and animal production, bacterial pollution, and the production of alternative energies.
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering uses various techniques of DNA manipulation
Read MorePharmacology and Drug Development: From Discovery to Market
Drug Discovery
Target Profile – Intended therapeutic site of action and clinical outcome
Lead Identification – Identified candidate compounds with potential drug activity commensurate with profile from a library of actives (hits)
Lead Optimization – Identification / modification of lead compounds for best action / least side effects, etc.
Combinatorial Chemistry – Generation of active compounds (hits) from a library of building blocks
Structure-Activity Relationship – Determination of the relationship
Read MoreHuman Genome and Bioethics: Implications and Risks
The Human Genome: Our Book of Instructions
The human genome is the set of all genes in our species, distributed across 23 pairs of chromosomes in our cells. Their study is the field of genomics. Beginning in 1990, the Human Genome Project was designed to locate and study the function of genes. The human genome contains approximately 35,000 genes. Almost 25% of the genome is deserted, and genes are not regularly scattered across chromosomes. Only 5% of human DNA contains genes, the carriers of instructions
Read MoreToxicology: Antidotes, Elimination, and Chemical Analysis
Antidote Treatments
The objective is to neutralize toxins absorbed into the blood and tissues.
Types of Antidotes
- Chemical Antidotes: These convert a toxic substance into a non-toxic compound. For example, glucose + CnH = Heptose, and sodium thiosulphate + metal = sulfur compounds.
- Chelating Agents: These compounds combine with metals and metalloids, forming water-soluble, nonionic chelates that are usually less toxic or non-toxic. Examples include BAL for As, Hg, Cr, Au; and Cobalt EDTA for Cyanides.