Biotechnology Intro & Gel Electrophoresis

What does…

• BIO- mean?

• TECHNOLOGY?

SO….

What is BIOtechnology Any Way????

• Manipulating living organisms using different types of technology to produce more useful qualities:– Using better genes and traits– Allows the best or desired traits to be expressed.

Research in Biotechnology1. Help humans create crops that can be frost resistant

2. Use transgenic organisms to help medical researchers model human physiology for testing

3. Help industry to create bacteria to break down pollutants into harmless products – Like cleaning up OIL SPILLS!

4. Pharmaceutical companies use recombinant DNA to cheaply produce human hormones (insulin) and other proteins

5. Help solve crimes and determine family relationships

Gel Electrophoresis

• A method used to separate DNA or RNA by size to compare DNA data.• Comparing the SIZE of DNA

fragments (or pieces)

Also known as…

• A DNA Fingerprint

What can this be used for?• Paternity Tests

– Who is the father?

• Familial Relationships– Who is the mother?– Who are the siblings, cousins, grandparents, etc.?

• Evolutionary Relationships– How closely related are two organisms (humans & apes)?

• Crime Scene Investigations (Forensics)– Who committed the crime?

GelElectrophoresis

Basic Steps..

1. Extract DNA sample

2. Cut DNA into smaller pieces using Restriction Enzymes

3. Put the smaller DNA fragments into the Gel Tray

4. Use a Charge to separate the pieces of DNA

5. Analyze the size of the DNA fragments

Let’s Take a look…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSwlCk_Z02c&feature=related

What is the Purpose of Gel Electrophoresis?

To separate and analyze DNA fragments according to their size & shape.

GelElectrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis

Gel Electrophoresis

What is used to cut the DNA?

• In order to cut the DNA into fragments, restriction enzymes are used.

• These are specific enzymes (proteins) that recognize specific sequences of DNA and then cut it in half.

• Like the SCISSORS in the body

Which strands move further down the tray?

• DNA fragments move in the Gel due to opposite charges (DNA is negatively charged)– The SMALL strands move further down the Gel

than the LARGER strands of DNA.– Since they are larger and heavier, the LARGER

strands do not move as far down the Gel

Which strands are towards the top of the tray?

• Larger strands are towards the top of the tray because they are larger and heavier

• They do not move as quickly down the tray when the charge is added

DNA fingerprinting applications

Sample Problems