Production of Insulin Throuhg Genetic Engineering

Summary

This video explains the process of producing insulin through genetic engineering. It covers the isolation of the insulin gene from DNA, its insertion into a plasmid, and the transformation of E. coli bacteria to produce insulin. The recombinant bacteria multiply and produce insulin, which can be harvested for diabetes treatment. The video also touches on gene therapy, where human pancreatic cells are modified to restore insulin production, providing a potential solution for diabetic patients. The process showcases the power of genetic engineering in medical advancements.

Takeaways

• 😀 The production of insulin through genetic engineering is a complex biotechnological process.
• 😀 DNA consists of a double-stranded molecule with histone proteins, and the insulin gene is located within it.
• 😀 Restriction enzymes are used to cut and isolate the gene responsible for insulin production from DNA.
• 😀 These enzymes create 'sticky ends' on the DNA, allowing for easier gene insertion into plasmids.
• 😀 The insulin gene is inserted into a plasmid, a small circular DNA molecule used to carry the gene into bacteria.
• 😀 DNA ligase helps attach the insulin gene to the plasmid, creating a recombinant plasmid.
• 😀 The recombinant plasmid is then transferred into *Escherichia coli* (E. coli) bacteria.
• 😀 E. coli bacteria multiply through binary fission, producing insulin as they carry the insulin gene.
• 😀 The bacteria continuously produce insulin, which can be harvested and purified for medical use.
• 😀 The purified insulin is used to treat patients with diabetes, whose bodies cannot produce enough insulin naturally.
• 😀 This genetic engineering process allows for large-scale, cost-effective production of insulin to manage diabetes.

Q & A

What is the role of histone proteins in the production of insulin through genetic engineering?

Histone proteins are part of the DNA structure, and they help package the DNA into a compact form. The enzyme protease breaks these histones down into amino acids, allowing the double-stranded DNA to be accessed and manipulated for genetic engineering purposes.

What is the function of restriction enzymes in the process of insulin production?

Restriction enzymes are used to cut and unwind the double-stranded DNA. They help isolate the specific gene responsible for insulin production by cutting the DNA at precise locations, leaving sticky ends that facilitate the insertion of the insulin gene into another DNA molecule.

How does the recombinant plasmid play a role in insulin production?

The recombinant plasmid is a DNA molecule that carries the gene for insulin production. It is created by inserting the insulin gene into a plasmid, which is then introduced into bacteria, allowing the bacteria to produce insulin.

Why is Escherichia coli (E. coli) used in the production of insulin?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are used because they reproduce quickly through binary fission. Once the recombinant plasmid containing the insulin gene is inserted into the E. coli, the bacteria replicate rapidly, producing large quantities of insulin.

What is binary fission and how does it relate to insulin production?

Binary fission is the process by which a single bacterium divides into two identical daughter cells. This process is utilized in genetic engineering to rapidly multiply bacteria carrying the insulin gene, leading to high quantities of insulin being produced.

How is the insulin gene transferred to human pancreas cells?

After the recombinant plasmid carrying the insulin gene is produced and multiplied in E. coli, it is isolated and transferred to human pancreas cells. These cells, which were previously unable to produce insulin, are now capable of producing insulin due to the inserted gene.

What is the role of DNA ligase in the genetic engineering process?

DNA ligase is an enzyme that facilitates the bonding of DNA strands. In the process of creating a recombinant plasmid, DNA ligase helps attach the insulin gene to the plasmid by joining the sticky ends of the DNA fragments.

How does genetic engineering help in the treatment of diabetes?

Genetic engineering helps treat diabetes by enabling human pancreas cells to produce insulin, which is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Through this process, insulin can be produced more effectively, benefiting diabetic patients who need insulin for their condition.

What is meant by 'sticky ends' in DNA manipulation?

Sticky ends refer to the overhanging single-stranded portions of DNA that are produced when restriction enzymes cut DNA. These sticky ends allow for the easy attachment of other DNA fragments, such as the insulin gene, during the creation of recombinant DNA molecules.

What is the significance of using a plasmid in the genetic engineering of insulin?

Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules found in bacteria that can replicate independently. In genetic engineering, plasmids are used as vectors to carry the inserted insulin gene into bacteria or human cells, where the gene can be expressed and insulin can be produced.