Genetic and Metabolic engineering Flashcards
What is Genetic engineering
direct manipulation of an organism’sgenesusingbiotechnology.
It is a set oftechnologiesused to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novelorganisms.
What is Metabolic engineering
directed improvement of cellular properties through the modification of specific biochemical reactions or the introduction of new ones, with the use of recombinant DNA technology
Why is it used?
Faster growth rates Specific traits can be developed New products can be created Greater yields can be produced Lowers cost Reduces by-products
What are gene cloning steps?
- Isolate plasmid from bacterium.
- Isolate gene of interest from another cell.
- Insert gene of interest into plasmid (now called a recombinant
DNA). - Bacterial cell takes up plasmid containing gene of interest through a
process called transformation. - Bacterial cell divides along with the plasmid and forms a clone of
cells (genetically identical cells).
Autotrophs
organisms that use atmospheric CO2 as their sole source of carbon
Heterotrophs
life forms that obtain their energy by ingesting carbon based compounds
Catabolism
Degradation path. Complex organic molecules are degraded to simpler species = production of energy
Anabolism
Construction path. Biosynthesis of more complex organic molecues. Requires energy.
Phototrophs
Light energy powers the endergonic reaction of CO2 and H20 from carbohydrates and O2
Chemotrophs
oxidation of CHO, lipids, proteins. This free energy is coupled to endergonic reactions through the synthesis of “high energy” phosphate compounds such as ATP
Overview of catabolism?
1) Breakdown of macromolecules into building blocks (No useful energy)
2) Oxidation of building blocks to produce Acetyl CoA (limited energy production)
3) Oxidation of Acetyl CoA to CO2 and H2O and energy
Fate of anaerobic fate of pyruvate
Cells have limited quantities of NAD+, therefore must be re-cylced after reduction to NADH
Under Aerobic conditions it is oxidised in mitochondria
Under anaerobic conditions NAD+ is replenished by reduction of pyruvate in an extension of the glycolytic pathway.
Homolactic and alcoholic fermentation.
Metabolic engineering approaches?
Overexpression of enzyme levels
Use enzymes with different (enhanced) properties
Addition of new enzymatic pathways
Deletion of existing (competing) pathways
What is a metabolic pathway?
any sequence of feasible and observable biochemical reactions steps connecting a specified set of input and output metabolites.
What is a pathway flux?
defined as the rate at which input metabolites are processed to form output metabolites
