Plant Recombinant DNA Technology I. Recombinant DNA Technology A. What is rDNA? a.

Definition Recombinant DNA (rDNA) molecules are DNA sequences that result from the use of laboratory methods (molecular cloning) to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in biological organisms. Recombinant DNA is possible because DNA molecules from all organisms share the same chemical structure; they differ only in the sequence ofnucleotides within that identical overall structure. Consequently, when DNA from a foreign source is linked to host sequences that can drive DNA replication and then introduced into a host organism, the foreign DNA is replicated along with the host DNA. B. Creating recombinant DNA

II.

Recombinant DNA Technology in plants A. Creating rDNA in plants

http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/Applications/GMOpkgJK loseGLampard2.swf (animated presentation)

B. Application 1. Golden rice 2. Herbicide-resistant crops 3. Insect-resistant crops Producing Genetically Modified Foods A widely debated application of recombinant DNA technology is in the production of genetically modified foods. Genes can be derived from plants or even other organisms to give plants characteristics that are beneficial to both producers and consumers of agricultural products:

Delayed fruit ripening for longer shelf life during transportation Resistance to insects and plant viruses Enhanced flavor and nutritional content Edible vaccines to prevent widespread diseases in developing countries The technology behind genetic modification of foods is similar to the one used to produce human insulin, with an additional step. After the bacteria multiply the gene of interest, the gene is then introduced into plant cells so that the plant

will manufacture the gene product: whether it is an insecticide, vaccine, or other plant substance. Because agriculture is conducted on such a large scale, the use of genetically modified plants poses ecological implications that must be considered carefully.

III.

Conclusion A. Advantages and disadvantages of plant recombinant DNA Recombinant DNA has been gaining in importance over the last few years, and recombinant DNA will only become more important in the 21st century as genetic diseases become more prevelant and agricultural area is reduced. Below are some of the areas where Recombinant DNA will have an impact.

Better Crops (drought & heat resistance) Recombinant Vaccines (ie. Hepatitis B) Prevention and cure of sickle cell anemia Prevention and cure of cystic fibrosis Production of clotting factors Production of insulin Production of recombinant pharmaceuticals Plants that produce their own insecticides Germ line and somatic gene therapy

Recombinant DNA and biotechnology have been used to increase the efficiency of plant growth by increasing the efficiency of the plant's ability to fix nitrogen. Scientists have obtained the genes for nitrogen fixation from bacteria and have incorporated those genes into plant cells. By obtaining nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, the plants can synthesize their own proteins without intervention of bacteria as normally needed. DNA technology has also been used to increase plant resistance to disease. The genes for an insecticide have been obtained from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis and inserted into plants to allow them to resist caterpillars and other pests. In addition, plants have been reengineered to produce the capsid protein that encloses viruses. These proteins lend resistance to the plants against viral disease.

References: http://www.biotechnology4u.com/basic_concepts_recombinant_dna_technology.html http://lifeofplant.blogspot.com/2011/04/recombinant-dna-technology.html http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/Applications/GMOpkgJKloseGLampard2.swf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recombinant_DNA#Controversy http://www.plants.leeds.ac.uk/jd/pdf/Introduction%20to%20recombinant%20DNA%20techniques.pdf http://www.dnacenter.com/science-technology/health-nutrition.html http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=vKRzOTzRaLQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=plant+recombinant+D NA+technology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xPVCUdn3LOOjigeOh4HYCg&ved=0CFYQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=plant %20recombinant%20DNA%20technology&f=false http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=P_xERq9yKCoC&pg=PA174&dq=plant+recombinant+DNA+techn ology&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xPVCUdn3LOOjigeOh4HYCg&ved=0CEUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=plant%20reco mbinant%20DNA%20technology&f=false http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=yU89JSZsS30C&pg=PA127&dq=plant+recombinant+DNA+technol ogy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xPVCUdn3LOOjigeOh4HYCg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/Projects00/rdna/rdnaimpact.html http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/Recombinant-DNA-and-Biotechnology.topicArticleId8524,articleId-8439.html