Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) General Biology 2

ARELLANO UNIVERSITY
Juan Sumulong Campus

2600 Legarda St., Sampaloc, Manila
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School Year 2020-2021
DYNAMIC LEARNING PROGRAM (DLP)

GENERAL BIOLOGY 2
NAME: ____________________________________ DATE:________________________
GRADE & SECTION:__________________________ TEACHER:_____________________
CONCEPT NOTES 2
I. TOPIC: RECOMBINANT DNA: The Practical Applications of DNA-based Biotechnology
II. LEARNING GOAL: At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to
1. Discuss the application of genetic engineering
2. Design a transgenic organism
3. Collaborate with group members in doing the activity.
III. CONCEPT
DNA-based biotechnology affects our lives in many ways. The numbers of applications for genetic
engineering are increasing as more and more is learned about the genomes of different organisms. A
few interesting or notable application areas are described below.
1. Applications of Genetic Engineering or DNA-Based Biotechnology
A. Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases

 Identification of genes lead to ways of diagnosing, treating, and even preventing genetic disorders/
diseases, and understanding of “non-genetic” diseases as well.
Example: Use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) leads to identification of

genes for human diseases like those for sickle-cell disease, hemophilia, and
cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy,
even before the onset of symptoms.
PCR can also be used to identify symptomless carriers of potentially

harmful recessive alleles.
The COVID-19 RT-PCR test is used for detection of nucleic acid from SARS-
CoV-2.
 Gene Therapy
The introduction of genes into an afflicted
individual for therapeutic purposes. Cells that
reproduce throughout life, such as bone marrow
cells, are ideal candidates for gene therapy.
Example:
 Gene therapy using a retroviral vector. A
retrovirus that has been rendered harmless
is used as a vector in this procedure.
 CRISPRCas9 system. In this approach the
existing defective gene is edited to correct
the mutation.
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B. Pharmaceutical Products
Pharmaceutical products are synthesized using methods of either organic chemistry or biotechnology,
depending on the nature of the product.
 Synthesis of Small Molecules for Use as Drugs

Determining the sequence and structure of proteins crucial for tumor cell survival has led to the
identification of small molecules that combat certain cancers by blocking the function of these
proteins.
Example: imatinib (trade name Gleevec) for chronic myelogenous leukemia patients
 Protein Production in Cell Cultures
DNA cloning and gene expression systems for producing large quantities of a chosen protein
that is present naturally in only minute amounts. The host cells used in such expression systems
can be engineered to secrete a protein as it is made, thereby simplifying the task of purifying it
by traditional biochemical methods.
Example: human insulin and human growth hormone (HGH), and tissue plasminogen activator
(TPA). TPA helps dissolve blood clots and reduces the risk of subsequent heart attacks.
 Protein Production by “Pharm” Animals
A gene (or DNA) can be introduced from an animal into the genome of another individual (often
of a different species), which is then called a
transgenic animal.
Transgenic animals can act as pharmaceutical
“factories.”
Example: A transgene for a human blood protein
such as antithrombin, which prevents blood clots,
can be inserted into the genome of a goat in such a
way that the transgene’s product is secreted in the
animal’s milk. The protein is then purified from the
milk (which is easier than purification from a cell
culture).
C. Forensic Evidence and Genetic Profiles

Forensic Evidence
Forensic laboratories can determine the blood type or tissue type by using antibodies to detect
specific cell-surface proteins from body fluids or small pieces of tissue left at the scene of the
crime.
Genetic Profiles or “DNA Fingerprints”
Genetic markers that vary in the population can be analyzed for a given person to determine that
individual’s unique set of genetic markers, or genetic profile.
Analysis of genetic markers such as short tandem repeats (STRs) in DNA isolated from tissue or
body fluids found at crime scenes leads to a genetic profile or “DNA fingerprint” as termed by
forensic scientists.
Use of genetic profiles can provide definitive evidence. It is also useful in parenthood disputes
and in identifying the remains of crime victims.
D. Environmental Cleanup
Genetically engineered microorganisms may become important in both mining (especially as ore
reserves are depleted) and cleaning up highly toxic mining wastes. Biotechnologists are also
trying to engineer microorganisms that can degrade chlorinated hydrocarbons and other
harmful compounds.
These microorganisms could be used in wastewater treatment plants or by manufacturers before
the compounds are ever released into the environment.

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Example: many bacteria can extract heavy metals, such as copper, lead, and nickel, from their
environments and incorporate the metals into compounds such as copper sulfate or lead sulfate,
which are readily recoverable.
E. Agricultural Applications
Agricultural scientists have already supplied us a number of crop plants with genes for desirable
traits, such as delayed ripening and resistance to spoilage, disease, and drought, and provided
modifications that added value to food crops, giving them a longer shelf life or improved flavor
or nutritional value.
Crops engineered with a bacterial gene making the plants resistant to an herbicide can grow
while weeds are destroyed, and genetically engineered
crops that can resist destructive insects reduce the need
for chemical insecticides.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are transgenic
organisms that have acquired by artificial means one or
more genes from another species or even from another
variety of the same species are now already used as
food. Example: Some salmon have been genetically
modified by addition of a more active salmon growth
hormone gene.
Bt-corn is a common GMO that combines a gene

from the Bt bacteria with corn DNA to produce a
crop that is insect-resistant. The bacteria gene used
contains a recipe for a protein that is toxic when
consumed by insects, but safe when consumed by
humans.
2. Ethics
The main reason genetically modified organisms are not more widely used is due to ethical concerns.
Nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the countries in the
European Union, have enacted significant restrictions or full bans on the production and sale of
genetically modified organism food products, and 64 countries have GMO labeling requirements. Some
issues to consider when deciding whether to create and/or use GMOs include:
 Safety: Are GMO foods safe for human consumption? Is GMO feed healthy for animals?
Many opponents of GMO foods say not enough independent testing is done before the food is
approved for sale to consumers. In general, research has shown that GMO foods are safe for
humans. Another safety consideration is the health of farmers and their families, animals and
communities who are put at risk with exposure to chemicals used in tandem with GMO seeds.
 Environmental Impact: Consider that genetic engineers have the ability to create trees that
grow faster than their unmodified counterparts. This seems like a great deal for the lumber
industry, but might some unintended consequences result? Being outdoors and grown in large
quantities, the modified trees may cross-pollinate with unmodified trees to form hybrids outside
of designated growing areas. This in return could create trees that could disrupt the ecosystem.
For example, they could overpopulate the area or grow so large that they smother other plant
life. This same scenario has unintended and undesirable consequences when the pollen from
GMO crops drifts into non-GMO fields.

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 Humans: Should humans be genetically engineered? Doing so could have medical applications
that reduce or prevent genetic disorders such as Down's syndrome. However, the bigger
question is where should engineering humans stop? Should parents be allowed to decide their
children's eye colors, heights or even genders before birth?
III. ACTIVITY: Genetic Engineers Lab
This is a group activity.

Instruction:
Imagine that you are a group of genetic engineers that are working together to create
recombinant organisms. Pick any organism and decide what gene you would like to add (such as
genes that make an organism smarter, bigger, faster, grow extra limbs, etc.). Write down a
potential use for the resulting creature and the ethical issues that you would possibly encounter.
Finally, sketch how the recombinant creatures would look like.
Rubrics:
Correct Concept 15 points
Originality 10 points
Ethics 15 points
Overall presentation 5 points
Teamwork 5 points
Reference: Biology 11th Edition, Campbell, teachengineering.com

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ARELLANO UNIVERSITY

Juan Sumulong Campus

DYNAMIC LEARNING PROGRAM (DLP)

1. Applications of Genetic Engineering or DNA-Based Biotechnology

A. Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases

Example: Use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) leads to identification of

PCR can also be used to identify symptomless carriers of potentially

SHS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

 Synthesis of Small Molecules for Use as Drugs

C. Forensic Evidence and Genetic Profiles

SHS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

Bt-corn is a common GMO that combines a gene

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III. ACTIVITY: Genetic Engineers Lab

This is a group activity.

Correct Concept 15 points

Overall presentation 5 points

Reference: Biology 11th Edition, Campbell, teachengineering.com

SHS SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

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