L26: Biotech: Gain of Function Flashcards
Define: Gain of function technology
A form of genetic manipulation on microorganisms
What is a spike protein?
A protein on the surface of certain viruses (covid, sars-cov-2). It’s called spike because it has spikes and binds to receptors on human cells which allows it to enter and infect them.
What is adenovirus?
Viruses without an envelope.
Can deliver genetic information into cells.
Used as vectors (used as a vehicle to carry DNA section into a host cell).
What is the mechanism of action for a spike protein on SARS-CoV-2?
S1 recognises and binds to host receptors, and subsequent conformational changes in S2 facilitate fusion between the viral envelope and the host cell membrane.
A spike protein is….
A protein on the surface of certain viruses (covid, sars-cov-2). It’s called spike because it has spikes and binds to receptors on human cells which allows it to enter and infect them.
What is a genetically modified virus?
A virus that has been altered or generated using biotech methods and remains capable of infection.
What is recombination?
Breaking and rejoining DNA to create new combinations of genetic information.
Define: wild type
Naturally occurring, most common form of a virus.
What are the advantages of using a wild type virus?
Used as a control.
Describe: Influenza
A respiratory illness
highly infectious
What is the mechanism of influenze?
Infects the epithelial cells
causes lung inflammation.
Why does influenza kill so many people?
Flu can progress to pneumonia and COPD or congestive heard failure.
Define: Reverse transcriptase
The conversation of viral RNA to DNA.
What is the mechanism of reserve transcriptase?
Starts with viral RNA
RT binds to Viral RNA
Synthesises a complimentary DNA
Adds nucleotides to growing DNA strand
Results in a single stranded DNA molecule.
DNA molecule used to synthesise a complementary DNA strand,
Resulting dsDNA becomes permanent part of calls genetic material.
A form of genetic manipulation on microorganisms
Gain of function
Define: Genetically Modified virus
A virus that has been changed intentionally or by using genetic engineering techniques so it can do what we want
What is alpha 2-6 (human)
Linking of sugar molecules from Carbon 2 and the Carbon 6 of glycoproteins and glycolipids
what is alpha 2-3 (Avian)
What is HPAI H5N1
Its avian influenza virus that can sometimes infect humans - causes Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Define: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrom (ARDS)
Sever lung infection caused by inflammation and fluid build up in air sacs.
Why are ferrets used to study influenza?
They have the same sialic acid residues to humans.
The sialic acid distribution in their lungs and nasal passages are smilar.
Similar airborne transmission.
Define: Mutations
Change or atleration in genetic material
What is a mutation?
Change in the DN sequence of an organism
What is sequencing?
Determining the exact order of nucleotides or bases in a DNA molecule.
Define: point mutations
Genetic mutations where a single nucleotide base is changed, inserted, or deleted from a DNA or RNA sequence in an organisms genome - ie sickle cell disease.
Teach a friend about point mutations.
Genetic mutations where a single nucleotide base is changed, inserted, or deleted from a DNA or RNA sequence in an organisms genome - ie sickle cell disease.
What is a membrane protein?
A protein associated or attached to the membrane of a cell or an organelle inside a cell. Ie spike protein
Define: Transposon
Class of genetic elements that can “jump” to different locations with a genome. Hence “jumping genes”
What is a viral envelop?
The outermost later of many types of viruses.
A form of genetic manipulation on microorganisms
Gain of function
A protein on the surface of certain viruses (covid, sars-cov-2). It’s called _____ because it has spikes and binds to receptors on human cells which allows it to enter and infect them.
Spike Protein
A group of DNA viruses first found in adenoid tissue, most of which cause respiratory diseases.
Adenovirus
Naturally occurring, most common form of a virus.
WIld Type
Breaking and rejoining DNA to create new combinations of genetic information.
DNA recombination
The conversation of viral RNA to DNA.
Reverse transcriptase
Name the process:
Starts with viral RNA
RT binds to Viral RNA
Synthesises a complimentary DNA
Adds nucleotides to growing DNA strand
Results in a single stranded DNA molecule.
DNA molecule used to synthesise a complementary DNA strand,
Resulting dsDNA becomes permanent part of calls genetic material.
Reverse transcriptase.
Sever lung infection caused by inflammation and fluid build up in air sacs.
ARDS - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Genetic mutations where a single nucleotide base is changed, inserted, or deleted from a DNA or RNA sequence in an organisms genome - ie sickle cell disease.
Point mutation
