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Genetically Modified Organisms: Tobacco Plant With Firefly Gene © Keith Wood (Of Deluca Lab) For Science Magazine 1986

The document discusses genetically modified organisms and provides details about Bt crops, which produce bacterial toxins that target insect pests. It also describes research into producing spider silk proteins through transgenic animals like goats to create strong fibers for applications like body armor and surgery.

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ROMEL A. ESPONILLA
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67 views10 pages

Genetically Modified Organisms: Tobacco Plant With Firefly Gene © Keith Wood (Of Deluca Lab) For Science Magazine 1986

The document discusses genetically modified organisms and provides details about Bt crops, which produce bacterial toxins that target insect pests. It also describes research into producing spider silk proteins through transgenic animals like goats to create strong fibers for applications like body armor and surgery.

Uploaded by

ROMEL A. ESPONILLA
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Genetically

Modified
Organisms

Tobacco plant with firefly gene © Keith Wood (of


DeLuca lab) for Science Magazine 1986
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
Bt Maize
 Bacillus thuringiensis
produces a bacterial
toxin (Delta-endotoxin)
 The bacterium has been
used as an insecticide
since 1938
 It stops the insect from
feeding by attacking the
insect gut lining Image Credit: Bacillus thuringiensis

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Cry gene
 The toxin is produced by the
Cry gene
 Found on plasmids in the
bacterium
 The gene is added to the
genomes of crop plants
using a bacterium that
forms root nodules in plants
(Agrobacterium tumificiens)
Image Credit: GMO Compass
BT Maize
 Bt crops produced from
1996 onwards: maize,
potato, cotton, soybean

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Advantages
 Only insects attacking the crop will be
poisoned Environmentally friendly
 All tissues are protected even the roots
 Biodegradable – does not accumulate in
the food chain

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Disadvantages
 Pollinators may be killed too
 Pesticide resistance in insects is rapid –
but crop management could limit this
 Pollen grains could spread the gene to wild
relatives of the crop plant
– but terminator genes could prevent this
- but terminator genes considered
unethical in developing nations
 Technology expensive

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Spider silk
 Spider’s silk is
5 times stronger than a
thread of steel of the
same thickness
3 times stronger than
Kevlar (carbon fibre)
 Spiders are carnivores
and cannot be raised © P. Billiet

 Transgenic animals can Aculepeira ceropegia


a European orbweb
produce the spider spider
protein

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Spider silk
 The gene for spider
silk protein was
isolated from the
golden orb weaver
(Nephila clavipes)
 Not easy, it is a
fibrous protein so it
has a very repetitive
gene sequence

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS Nephila clavipes © C. Frank Starmer


Web-based kid

Spider goat © Sean O'Neill

 Gene (plus regulator genes) inserted into goat


mammary gland cells
 Genetically transformed cells could be made to
secrete spider silk protein
 Transformed goat cells fused to enucleated oocyte
 Genetically transformed goat embryos produced
© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS
 Goat grows up, females produce spider
silk protein in their milk
 Silk protein purified
 Extruded through nozzle to produce silken
thread
 Not easy as the conditions are not quite
the same a spider’s spinneret
 Transformed goats can be bred together
perpetuating the trait

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS


Applications
 Super strong surgery thread
 Artificial ligaments
 Light bullet proof body armour
 Biodegradable fishing line

© 2016 Paul Billiet ODWS

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