A vector is a recombinant DNA carrier, all types have three generic properties; introduction to the host cell can be accomplished easily, each vector contains a replication origin enabling it to reproduce inside the cell and in order to determine which cells contain the vector a simple assay can be carried out, such as, growing the cells on agar plates. At present, there are many different types of vectors available for use the best expression system depends on the gene involved (Hartl, 2011). Examples of vectors include; Plasmids, Bacteriophages, Artificial chromosomes, bacteria, cell free systems and viruses (Klug et al., 2003). The fundamentals of molecular genetics is centred around the “Central Dogma”, this governs protein expression and demonstrates how genetic information in DNA is expressed in a polypeptide chain as show in Figure 1 below.
DNA does not code directly for proteins it does so through Ribose Nucleic Acid (RNA), a similar molecule to DNA but, the sugar it contains is called ribose, the molecule itself is single stranded and within the nucleotide base Thymine (T) is replaced with Uracil (U) which still binds to Adenine (A) in the same manner. There are three types of RNA, messenger RNA (mRNA), ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA) as well as this, each gene includes a particular nucleotide sequence that initiates and stops transcription. Each of which are involved in the intermediary process of transcribing and translating DNA into a protein (Hartl, 2011).
With the use of recombinant DNA essential products can be produced on a large scale in a short period of time i.e. human insulin for type two diabetics. As well as this there are various agricultural advantages, such as, the growth rate of some animals...
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...ely monitored. Taking all these points into consideration, the future of gene therapy has great potential (Cummings, 2003).
References:
Balazs, D. A. G. W., 2011. Liposomes for use in Gene Delivery. Journal of Drug Delivery, 2011(326497), p. 12.
Cummings, M. R. K. W. S., 2003. Concepts of Genetics. 7th ed. Chicago: Prentice Works.
Gan, C., 1989. Gene gun accelerates DNA coated paritcles to transform intact cells. The Scientist, 3(18), p. 25.
Hartl, D. L., 2011. Essential Genetics: A Genomics Perspective. Fifth edition ed. s.l.:Jones and Bartlett.
McCluskey, D. J., 2013. Genetic approaches to treating disease. Coleraine: Univeristy of Ulster.
Robbins, P. D. G. S. C., 1998. Viral vectors for gene therapy. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 80(1), pp. 35-47.
Sara Cormier, D. D. T. D. J. Z., 2009. Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, California: McMaster University.
In order to do this a polymer of DNA “unzips” into its two strands, a coding strand (left strand) and a template strand (right strand). Nucleotides of a molecule known as mRNA (messenger RNA) then temporarily bonds to the template strand and join together in the same way as nucleotides of DNA. Messenger RNA has a similar structure to that of DNA only it is single stranded. Like DNA, mRNA is made up of nucleotides again consisting of a phosphate, a sugar, and an organic nitrogenous base. However, unlike in DNA, the sugar in a nucleotide of mRNA is different (Ribose) and the nitrogenous base Thymine is replaced by a new base found in RNA known as Uracil (U)3b and like Thymine can only bond to its complimentary base Adenine. As a result of how it bonds to the DNA’s template strand, the mRNA strand formed is almost identical to the coding strand of DNA apart from these
Since DNA has the instructions for making the proteins, but it has to be highly protected, it doesn’t leave the nucleus where it is mostly found (Hall, 6). DNA’s function is to be a long-term storage and transmission of the genetic information (DNA vs RNA, 2014). Copies of certain instructions needed for proteins can be made in the form of RNA. It’s not an exact copy of what is found in DNA, but RNA can travel out of the nucleus with the instructions. RNA make...
Either transduction or transfection can be used to get the therapeutic genes into the patients system. Transfection is when the genes are introduced physically or chemically in a way that allows the cell membrane to be temporarily permeable to a foreign DNA. In the second method used for gene therapy, transduction, there is a beneficial gene added into the genetic material of the virus, which then is allowed to infect the target cell which is the indirect transfer method for gene therapy.
... fight the disease. It is crucial that regulation be a necessary component of gene therapy research and applications. In hopes that the government can regulate and can receive this treatment, not restricting it to people that has serious genetic diseases. Gene therapy will change the field of medicine from what it is today. As scientist discovers more genes and their functions, the potential of this treatment is limitless. Though gene therapy is an auspicious treatment choice for numerous diseases (including inherited disorders, some types of cancer, and certain viral infections), the procedure remains precarious and is still under study to make sure that it will be safe and effective. Thus government regulators and scientist must take a lead role in adopting a practical approach to address these issues and determining the correct procedures for dealing with them.
Gene therapy works by introducing new and functioning genetic material to damaged genes to help it function and to produce beneficial proteins. If a gene is inserted directly into a cell, it usually will not function. So to complete this task, a vector, a modified virus is used to carry and deliver the new gene. There are two different categories of vectors than can be utilized in this process; recomb...
This program is generally focused to gather statistics on grade school inequalities that effect the entirety of the state. Researchers have suggested that school funding levels and student success rates are largely unrelated. The ability of schools to educate their children is affected solely by the teacher’s ability to teach. Yet for a number of years there has been a steady debate centered around the essentially counter-intuitive idea that the relationship between school resource levels and student performance is the only connection to California’s academic gap/ 1971, the California Supreme Court ruled this system of granted unequal funds to millions of children unconstitutional, promising California’s the state would standardize finances across all school districts. To do this California created Proposition 13 in 1978. This proposition reduced the local property tax revenues available to schools, and the state had to provide even more financial support to maintain similar funding levels across districts. Though it leveled the playing field for the middle class, this tactic created no growth in academic equality. In order to ensure a balance in opportunity to academically excel, California needs to scrutinize the funding system, to utilize all financial resources in ways that
Lewis, Ricki, (2014), Human Genetics, 11th Edition, Chapter 12. Gene Mutation. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from
Despite being magical of gene therapy, it is high-risk. Few people got benefits from it, and it has a low rate of success. Prior to the human trial, Batshaw and Wilson had done experiment on animals to ensure the safety. Over 20 experiments have been done on mice but only 12 of them survived at last (Sophia, M. and Kolehmainen, J.D., 2000). More seriously, complicating diseases, which can be more dangerous than genetic diseases, might set in during the treatment period. In December 200...
The types of diseases that can be treated by gene therapy are those where replacement of a single gene is able to cure the disorder. Some of the main diseases currently being researched in gene therapy studies include cancer, hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, muscular dystro...
Viral vectors use viruses to transport a modified gene into a patient's body. They are right now be...
Program Evaluation and Research Branch, Los Angeles Unified School District . Planning, Assessment, and Research Division Publication, No. 111. 21 May 2002.
Education is an integral part of society, school helps children learn social norms as well as teach them how to be successful adults. The school systems in United States, however are failing their students. In the world as a whole, the United States is quickly falling behind other countries in important math and reading scores. The United States ranked thirtieth in math on a global scale and twentieth in literacy. This is even more true in more urban, lower socio-economic areas in the United States. These schools have lower test scores and high dropout rates. In Trenton Central High School West, there was an 83% proficiency in literacy and only 49% of the students were proficient in math. Many of these students come from minority backgrounds and are often from low income families. There are many issues surrounding these urban schools. There is a severe lack of proper funding in these districts, and much of the money they do receive is sanctioned for non-crucial things. Schools also need a certain level of individualization with their students, and in many urban classes, this simply does not happen. While there are many factors affecting the low performance of urban schools, the lack of proper funding and distribution of funds, the cultural divide between teachers and students in urban districts, along with the lack of individualization in urban classrooms are crucial reasons to explain the poor performance in these districts. Through a process of teacher lead budget committees and further teacher education, urban schools can be transformed and be better equipped to prepare their students for the global stage.
Since its inception, gene therapy has captured the attention of the public and ethics disciplines as a therapeutic application of human genetic engineering. The latter, in particular, has lead to concerns about germline modification and questions about the distinction between therapy and enhancement. The development of the gene therapy field and its progress to the clinic has not been without controversy. Although initially considered as a promising approach for treating the genetic of disease, the field has attracted disappointment for failing to fulfil its potential. With the resolution of many of the barriers that restricted the progress of gene therapy and increasing reports of clinical success, it is now generally recognised that earlier expectations may have been premature.
The Use of Recombinant DNA Technology Recombinant DNA technology is the technology of preparing recombinant DNA in vitro by cutting up DNA molecules and splicing together fragments from more than one organism.(1) This is the process of using recombinant DNA technology to enable the rapid production of human protein from a single gene of insulin. Firstly the single gene required must be isolated. This can be done three ways: Either by working backwards from the protein- Finding the amino acid sequence for the protein needed, the order of bases can be established using known genetic code. New DNA can be made from this sequence of bases resulting in artificial gene made from complementary DNA.
In the end, gene therapy in humans needs to come a long way before it will be widely accepted, but there is great potential in the technology and it needs to be pursued. Bibliography Anderson, W. F. (1992). The Species of the World. Human Gene Therapy -. Science, 256 (5058), 808-813.