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PRAGATI VIDYA PEETH
SCHOOL
GWALIOR
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT IN BIOLOGY
GENETICENGINEERING-A GLANCEATITSLATEST
APPLICATIONS
PREPARED BY: RAJVEER ATAL
CLASS XIICERTIFICATE
This is to certify that RAJVEER ATAL of Class XII has satisfactorily
completed the project work in Biology prescribed by the Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for AISSSE course for the year
2017-2018.
Signature of the teacher:
Signature of the invigilator:
Name of the Candidate: RAJVEER ATAL
Reg. No:
Date of Practical Exam:ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
During the course of my project work, I had to encounter
quite a few difficulties, which I could overcome thanks to the
valuable guidance of my teachers Mrs. Mercy and
Mrs.Pravitha, Dept. of Biology, Alfarook Senior Secondary
School.
| would also like to express my gratitude to my friends for
the cooperation and the teamspirit they extended for the
successful completion of this project.The century that we left behind has witnessed giant strides in almost all spherescfhuman
life. Currently, biotechnology is looked upon as one of the most Promising branches of
science, And itis Genetic Engineering that makes most biotechnological applications
possible. Genetic engincering is the direct human manipulation ofan organism's genome
Using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic
Benes into the organism of interest. The introduction of new DNA does not require the use
oflassical genetic methods; however traditional breeding methods are typically uscd for
the propagation of recombinant organisms,
Humans have altered the genomes of
Pecies for thousands of years through artificial
selection and more recently mutagene:
sis. Genctic engineering as the direct manipulation of
PNAby humans outside breeding and mutations has only existed since the 1970s. Humans
have altered the genomes of species for thousands of years through artificial selection and
more recently mutagenesis, Genetic engineering as the direct manipulation of DNA by
humans outside breeding and mutations has only existed since the 1970s, The most
Common form of genetic engineering involves the insertion of new genctic material at an
Linspecified location in the host genome. This is accomplished by isolating and copying the
Genetic material of interest using molecular cloning, methoxls generate a DNA sequence
Containing the required genetic elements for expression, and then inserting this construct
into the host organism, Other forms of genetic engineering include gene targeting and
B outspecific genes via the most common form of gineering involves the
insertion of new genctic material at an specified location in the host genome, This is
Sfcomplished by isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using mo!
hous to Reneratea DNA sequence containing the required get
and then inserting this construct into the host organism,
engineering alters the genctic makeup ofan organism us
reduce heritable material prepared outside the or
into a cell thatis then fused or hybridized with
nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) techniques to form
‘material followed by the i
Vector systey
ecular
netic elements
Genetic
ing techniques that
ganism either dir
eclly into the hostor
the host. This involve:
sing recombinant
Ms of heritable ‘Renetic
ial either indirectly through
. Macro-injection and micro-Gonetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields including research,
agriculture, industry, and medicine. This project seeks to focus on some most
promising areas of biotechnological applications...
“+ GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
Agenetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically enginecred organism (GEO) is
organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
‘These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use
DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a
new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel
genes. Transgenic organisms, subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA
that originated in a different species.
GMOs are used in biological and medical research, production of pharmaceutical drugs,
experimental medicine (c.g, gene therapy),and agriculture (eg. golden rice). The term
"genetically modified organism” does not always imply, but can include, targeted insertions
of genes from one species into another. For example,a gene from a jellyfish, encoding,
a fluorescent protein called GFP, can be physically linked and thus co-expressed with
mammalian genes to identify the lacatian of the protein encoded by the GFP-tagged gene in
the mammalian cell. Such methods are useful tools for biologists in many areas of research,
including those who study the mechanisms of human and other diseases or fundamental
biological processes in eukaryotic ar prokaryotic cells.
a) Genetically Modified microbes
Bacteria were the first organisms to be modified in the laboratory, duc to their simple
genetics. These organisms are now used for several purposes, and are particularly
important in producing large amounts of pure human proteins for use in medicine.
Genetically are used to produce the protein insulin to treat diabetes. Similar bacteria
have been used to produce clotting factors to treat hemophilia and human growth
hormone to treat various forms of dwarfism. Bacteria synthesize products such as;
+ Insulin
+ Hepatitis B vaccine
+ Tissue plasminogen activator
+ Human growth hormone+ Icc-minus bacteria
+ Interferons
In materials science,a genetically modified virus has been used to construct more
environmentally friendly lithium-ion battery.
Gene therapy uses genetically modified viruses to deliver genes that can cure disease into
human cells. Although gene therapy is still relatively new, it has had some successes. It has
been used to treat genetic disorders such as severe combined immunodeficiency,
In 2004, researchers reported thata genetically-moulified virus that exploits the selfish
behaviour of cancer cells might offer an alternative way of killing tumours.
Genetically modified virus and bacteria
b) Genetically Modified Crops
‘Transgenic plants have been engineered to possess several desirable traits, such as
resistance to pests, herbicides, or harsh environmental conditions, improved product shelf
life, and increased nutritional value. Since the first commercial cultivation of genetically
modified plants in 1996, they have been modified to be tolerant to the
herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate, to be resistant to virus damage as in Ring spot virus-
resistant GM papaya, grown in Hawaii, and to produce the [it toxin, an insecticide that is
non-toxic to mammals. Most GM crops grown today have been modified with "input traits",
which provide benefits mainly to farmers. Golden Riceis a transgenic variety of rice, with
genes for the synthesis of b-carotene taken from the temperate garden favourite Narcissus
pseudonarcissus (daffodil) and inserted into the genome of a temperate strain of rice,
using Agrobacterium tumefaciens as the vector, to effect the transfer. ‘The gene construct
also contains some genes for enzymes af the biosynthetic pathway of b-carotene, from
another bacterium Erwinia uredovora,benctic engineering techniqu
more precise than mutagenesis (mutation breeding) whe
radiation or chemicals to create a non-specific but stable
Which humans modify food organisms include selective
animal breeding, andsomaclonal variation.
GM foods were first put on the market in 1996, Typically,
are transgenic plant products: soybean, corn, canola, and
have also been developed, although as of July 2010 none
2006 pig was controversially engineered to Produce omega-3 fatty acids through the
expression of a roundworm gene, Researchers have also developed a genetically-modified
breed of pigs that are able to absorb plant phosphorus more efficiently, andasa
Consequence the phosphorus content oftheir manure is reduced by as much as GO%t4.
rites have abjected to GM foods on several grounds, including safety
'ssues ecological concerns, and economic concerns ralsed by the fact these organisms
subject to intellectual property law,
These techniques are much
Te an organism is exposed to
change. Other techniques by
breeding; plant breeding, and
Renetically modified foods
cotton seed oil. Animal products
are currently on the market2l In
are
Genetically Engineered Roses¢) Transgenic Animals
Atransgenic animal is one that carries a foreign gene that has been deliberately inserted
Into its genome. The foreign gene is constructed using recombinant DNA methodology. In
addition to the gene itself, the DNA usually includes other sequences to enable it to be
Incorporated into the DNA of the host and to be expressed correctly by the cells of the host.
Transgenic animals are used as experimental models to perform phenotypic and for testing
in biomedical research. Genetically Modified (Genetically Engineered) animals are
becoming more vital to the discovery and development of cures and treatments for many
serious diseases. By altering the DNA or transferring DNAto an animal, we can develop
certain proteins that may be used in medical treatment. Stable expressions of human
proteins have been developed in many animals, including sheep, pigs, and rats.
Some examples are: Human-alpha-1-antitrypsin2! which has been developed in sheep and
is used in treating humans with this deficency and transgenic pigs with human-histo-
compatibility have been studied in the hopes that the organs will be suitable for transplant
with less chances of rejection. Transgenic livestock have been used as bioreactors since the
1990s. Many medicines, including insulin and many imnumizations are developed in
transgenicanimals.| In March 2011, the bioactive recombinant Human Lysozyme was
expressed in the milk of cloned transgenic cattle, This field is growing rapidly and
new pharming uses are being discovered and developed. The extent that trangenic animals
will be useful in the medical field as well as other fields is very promising based on results
thus far.
The Glow Fish,a fluorescent red zebra fish sold as a novel pet, has become the first
al sold to US. consumers. In 1999, Dr. Zhiyuan Gong and his colleagues at
transgenic anim:
i called green fluorescent
the National University of Singapore were working with a gene i
protein (GFP), originally extracted froma jellyfish, that naturally produced bright
green fluorescence. They inserted the gene into zebra fish embryo, allowing it to integrate
into the zebrafish's genome, which caused the fish to be brightly fluorescent under both
hite light and ultraviolet light. Their goal was to developa fish that could
natural wtdetect pollution by selectively fluorescing in the presence of environmental toxins. The
developmentof the constantly fluorescing fish was the first step in this process. Shortly
thereafter, his team developed a line of red fluorescent zebra fish by adding a gene froma
sea coral,and orange-yellow fluorescent zebra fish, by adding a variant of the jellyfish gene,
Later, a team of researchers at the National University of Taiwan, headed by Professor
Muai-Jen Tsai succeeded in creating a medaka (rice fish) with
a fluorescent green color,
Which like the zebrafish is a model organism used in biology,
Transgenic: Rat
Fruit flies
\n biological research, transgenic fruit Mies (Drosophila melanogaster) are model
organisms used to study the effects of genetic changes on development [Fruit ies areoften
Preferred aver other animals due to their s
hort life cycle, low maintenance requirements,
and relatively simple genome compared to many vertebrates,
Mosquitoes
'n 2010, scientists created *malaria-resistant Mosquitoes” in the laboratory. The World
Health Organization estimated that Malaria killed almost one million people in
2008. Genetically modified male mosquitoes conta
in order to combat the spread of Dengue
important carrier of dengue fever, were
‘mosquitoes in the Cayman Islands. Arou
fever every year and 40,000 people die
Mammals
Genetically modified mammals
are an important category of genetically modified
Creinisms. Transgenic mice are often used to study cellular and tissue
to disease.
ining a lethal gene have been developed
fever. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the single most
reduced by 80% in a 2010 trial of these GM
nd 50- 100 million people are
affected by Dengue
fromit.
-specifle responsesIn 1999, scientists at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada created the genetically
engineered Enviropig. The Enviropig excretes from 30 to 70.7% less phosphorus in manure
depending upon the age and dict.In February 2010, Environment Canada determined that
Enviropigs are in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and can be
Produced outside of the research contextin controlled facilities where they are segregated
from other animals.
In 2009, scientists in Japan announced that they had successfully transferred a gene into
a primate species (marmosets) and produced a stable line of breeding transgenic primates
for the first time, Their first research target for these marmosets was Parkinson's disease,
but they were also considering Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington's disease.
In 2011,scientists in China released news that they have introduced human genes into
300 dairy cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk. Aside from
milk production, the researchers claim these transgenic cows to be identical to regular
cows!
Cnidarians
Cnidarians such as Hydra and the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis have become
attractive model organisms to study the evolution of immunity and certain developmental
processes. An important technical breakthrough was the development of procedures for
generation of stably transgenic hydras and sea anemones by embryo microinjection,
Hybrid Animals
“* GENETIC ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE
Genetic engineering is becominga major force in conventional medicine. It has got
numerous applications in medicine ranging from vaccines to transgenic organ transplants.
Na) The Artificial Blood
‘The artificial blood is a genetically engineered form of hemoglobin, the complicated protein
that enclosed in red blood cells~carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the
body. Many companies have been searching for an artificial blood because of the annual
worldwide shortage of about 100 million units of blood and the military's need for blood
replacements that can be stored in field conditions without refrigeration. An artificial blood
also would virtually eliminate the risk of contracting AIDS, hepatitis and other viral
diseases through transfusions. Development of emulsion technologies resulted in the
production of compounds which utilized smaller chain perfluoracarbon molecules to more
effectively emulsify the perfluorocarbons, allowing higher concentrations of active agent in
the emulsion and thus higher oxygen carrying capabilities. The Improved stability of the
newer emulsions are vastly superior to the first generations of perfluorocarhons; current
emulsions can be stored at 4°C for extended periods of time (months) without appreciable
degradation of activity.
Artificial Haemoglobin
b) Cloned Pigs Modified for Use in Human Transplants
Two competing teams have cloned pigs that have been genetically modified to produce
organs mare suitable for transplantation into humans,
re Organs are well suited for transplantation; they are approximately the same size as
human organ nd have Sinuilar plumbing, which makes reconnecting blood vessels much
cnr ti cof ters tends to be large and pigs reproduce quickly, raising the
grass eres nply of “spare” organs. A problem with using pig organs, however, is
it ated with sugar molecules that trigger acute rejection in people. H
antibodies attach themselves to these sugar molecules and quickly destroy the needy
transplanted pig organ. To circumvent the rejecti ists are working to produce pigs
ie i
ejection, scientists are working to produce pig
q¢) Genetically Engineered FSH
FSIlis produced by the pituitary gland and directly stimulates the ovaries to recruit and
SUPNOr ovarian follicles, each containing ane egg. The hypothalamus adjusts the
Production of FSH depending upon the levels af other hormones such ag estrogen.
FSH is used in stimulated 101 and assisted reproductive technology cycles (IVF) because it
Ruuses the development of numerous follicles. More follcies are needed in ART cycles
because some do not fertilize or do not continue to develop. There are several FSH
Products available in the United States including Follistim, Gonal-F, Bravelle, and Repronex,
Follstim and Gonal- are produced by genctic engineering using manmotion culture cells,
‘These products are identical to the body's FSH. Bravelle and Repronex are derived from the
urine of postmenopausal women.
BIOFUEL- AN ALTERNATIVE
Algae fuel might be an alternative to fossil fuel and uses algaeas its source of natural
eposits, Several companies and government agencies are funding efforts to reduce capital
and operating casts and make algae fuel production commercially viable Harvested algae,
Uke fossil fuel, release COz when burnt but unlike fossilfucl the COs Is taken outof the
auinosphere by the growing algae. High oi prices, competing demands between fonds and
other biofuel sources, and the world fond crisis, have ignited interest in alga
culture(farming algae) for making biodiesel, biocthanol, biagasoline, biomethanol,
blobutanoland other biofuels, using land that is not suitable for agriculture
Biodiesel
Cure
ly most research into efficient algal-oil production is being done in the private
Sector, but predictions from small scale production expe
iments bear out that using algae
to produce biodiese! may be the only viable method by which to produce enough
automotive fuelto replace current world diesel usage. I algae-derived biodiesel were to
Feplace the annual global production of 1.1bn tons of conventional diesel, a land mass of
57.3 million hectares would be required, This compares highly favourable to other
biofuels Microalgae have much faster growth rates than terrestrial ero ps.The per unit
area yield of oilfrom algae is estimated to be from between 5,000 to 20,000 US gallons per
pace Per year (4.700 to 18,000 m?/km?-a).U21 This is 7 to 30 times greater than the next
best crop, Chinese tallow (700 US gal/acre-a oF 650 m1/km2a),
Studies show that some species of algae can produce up to 60% of their dry weight in the
form of ol. Because the cells graw in aqueous suspension, where they have more efficient
secass to Water, COz and dissolved nutrients, microalgae are eapable of produicing large
amounts of biomass and usable oil in either high rate algal ponds or photo bioreactors, Thisoil can then be turned into biodiesel which could be sold for use in automobiles. Regional
production of microalgae and processing into biofuels will provide economic benefits to
rural communities. LL
The National Algae Biofuel Technology Roadmap_emphasizes the role of genetic
engineering to find, adjust and deploy optimized algae species for biofuel development.
»
BIOWEAPON - A CHALLENGE
Rapid developments in biotechnology, genetics and genomics are undoubtedly creating a
variety of environmental, ethical, political and social challenges for advanced societies. But
they also have severe implications for international peace and security because they open
up tremendous avenues for the creation of new biological weapons. The genetically
engineered 'superbug'—highly lethal and resistant to environmental influence or any
medical treatment—is only a small part of this story. Much more alarming, from an arms~
control perspective, are the possibilities of developing completely novel weapons on the
basis of knowledge provided by biomedical research—developments that are already
taking place. Such weapons, designed for new types of conflicts and warfare scenarios,
secret operations or sabotage activities, are not mere science fiction, but are increasingly
becoming.a reality that we have to fac
The history of biological warfare is nearly as old as the history of warfare itself. In ancient
times, warring parties poisoned wells or used arrowheads with natural toxins. By using
genetic engineering, biological researchers have already developed new weapons thatare
much more effective than their natural counterparts. Countless examples from the daily
work of molecular biologists could be presented here, not least the introduction of,
antibiotic resistance into bacterial pathogens, which today is routine work in almost any
microbiology laboratory. Indeed, many research projects in basic science show—
sometimes unwillingly and unwittingly —how to overcome current scientific and.
technological limits in the military use of pathogenicagents. Furthermore, genctic
engincering is not merely a theoretical possibility for future biowarfare:it has already beenapplied in past weapons programmes, particu
is the UssR's ‘invisible anthrax’, resulting from. the introduction of,
{nto Bacillus anthracis that altered its immunological propertie.
Existing vaccines proved to be ineffective Against this new ‘Rent
larly in the former Soviet Union, One example
analien gene
The global norm ag,
the 1972 Biological
countries have be
This mor,
ainst biological weapons
and Toxin Weapons Cony:
en en}
al barrier se
aid down in the
1925 Geneva Conve:
tion, cle:
ntionand
‘arly contributed to the fact that few
Baged in research into offensive biowartare during recent decades,
Shs tobe lower for ‘non-lethat weapons thet are targeted against
materials or drug-producing plants, Indeed. today’s technical possibilities
Rew interest in this area that might he leading to anew biological
New technological possibilities millitary concepts in the
interest in weapons that, until recently, h
{mn 1998, it became public that the US Naval Research Laboratory in Wash
developing genetically engineered fungi with offensive biowarfare Potential. They isolated
natural microorganisms that degrade + variety of
‘metals, and use,
materials, such as plastics, rubber and
‘dgenctic engineering to make them More powerful and focus
these genetically engineered microtise ‘can dest
troy military paints in 72 hour:
Microbes that are comy
are creating a
arms race
USA and led toa renewed
and rejected,
ington DC was
ed —one of
s.
as biological warfare ag
Agents,CONCLUSION
We have discussed the promising aspects of Genetic Engincering that can bring about
tremendous changes in human life. However the manipulation of living organisms by the
human race cannot go on any further without regulation, Some ethical standards are
required to evaluate the morality of all human activities that might help or harm living
organisms. Going beyond the morality of such issucs the biological significance of such
things is also important. Genetic modification of organisms can have unpredictable results
when such organismsare introduced into the ecosystem.
Every new technology aims to Improve man’slife. It is for man to make the judicious
use of its applications...BIBLIOGRApHY
> :
> ei
> Lancet magazine(July2011 issue)