CRISPR

Question 1

*What’s a major advantage of CRISPR vs traditional gene targeting in ES cells? Describe genetic engineering.

Answer 1

A major advantage of CRISPR is the cut is able to increase efficiency + higher success rate

Genetic engineering: making recombinant DNA (DNA from different orgs)

Question 2

*What are some positive applications of genetic engineering?

Answer 2

Agricultural applications
Rice, tomato, corn, and tuna

Question 3

What is the PAM sequence? Why is it important?

Answer 3

PAM = NGG

PAM has to be present for Cas9 protein to cut

Question 4

*What is “gene drive” technology, and how is CRISPR-Cas9 involved in this process? Explain the difference between in vivo, ex vivo, and in utero in gene therapy.

Answer 4

Gene drive inheritance → altered gene is almost always inherited

In vivo: Inject virus → body
Ex vivo: Take cells out of your body → genetically engineered in a lab → put it back in your body
In utero: It is a gene therapy that is typically done in the uterus prior to the baby being born in the mother by infecting the fetus with a virus

Question 5

What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and how are they made?

Answer 5

IPSC is cells in body & add 4 protein to become pluripotent can change into any cell type EXCEPT embryonic tissue

Question 6

What’s a major advantage to the use of iPSCs to produce organs as opposed to traditional organ transplants?

Answer 6

Traditional organ transplants have the disadvantage of not matching, waiting for someone to die, and taking immunosuppressants your whole life
With iPSCs, you’re able to grow a new kidney or heart by taking skin cell scraps

Question 7

*Describe the role of genetic engineering in the production of insulin for diabetes treatment.

Answer 7

Diabetes caused by insulin
Type I - autoimmune disorder, don’t make insulin
Animals → create insulin → purify it → give to humans
Engineer bacteria or yeast → to increase accessibility and amount of insulin for humans

Question 8

What did Dr. He do and why?

Answer 8

He removed CCR5
His claim: protect people from HIV
Society view: making people more intelligent bc CCR5 limits intelligence
Result: you can live w/out it, but it still has some advantages (against West Nile virus)

Question 9

What is happening with transgenic mice?

Answer 9

DNA is injected in the egg –> egg will think it is damaged and repair it

Question 10

What is a transgenic mice/chimera?

Answer 10

A mouse made up of two different cell type, white and gray mouse