BIOC192 Lecture 21 - Biotechnology in use

Question 1

what 4 things can be made from recombinant DNA technology?

Answer 1

1) therapeutic products
2) genetically modified products
3) diagnosis (e.g gene therapy)
4) energy applications

Question 2

what is the post-translational modification for insulin and what is this best produced in?

Answer 2

• post-translational modification= disulphide bonds

- best produced in= A and B chains separately in bacteria

Question 3

what is the post-translational modification for erythropoietin (EPO) and what is this best produced in?

Answer 3

• post-translational modification= glycosylation

- best produced in= mammalian cell culture

Question 4

what is the post-translational modification for antithrombin (AT) and what is this best produced in?

Answer 4

• post-translational modification= gamma carboxylation

- best produced in= transgenic animals (costs more but is the most effective method)

Question 5

what are recombinant DNA technologies in the clinic?

Answer 5

recombinant proteins that require repeated administration of drugs for the life of the patient/illness

Question 6

how can you provide a permanent treatment using biotechnology?

Answer 6

use patients as the host for protein production

Question 7

what is gene therapy?

Answer 7

introducing plasmids that can be carried into patients using viral vectors