19.2.2

Applications of Recombinant DNA

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Applications of Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA has a variety of important applications:

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Insulin

  • Human insulin can be made by inserting the gene into a bacterial plasmid. The plasmid is then placed within bacterial cells.
  • As the bacteria cells divide, they produce insulin.
  • The insulin can be extracted and purified.
    • This is a fast and efficient way to produce insulin. As the insulin is purified it is fast-acting when administered.
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Factor VII

  • Individuals with haemophilia cannot produce factor VII.
  • Hamster cells can be genetically modified so they produce factor VII for treating haemophilia.
    • This has the benefit of minimising the transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV. This is because the factor comes from hamster cells rather than human blood.
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Adenosine deaminase

  • Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a genetic condition that affects T lymphocytes. Sometimes other white blood cells are affected.
  • Affected individuals have difficulty fighting infections.
    • It is treated by administering adenosine deaminase. Insect larvae can be genetically modified to produce adenosine deaminase.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Structure

2Biological Molecules

3Enzymes

4Cell Membranes & Transport

5The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7Transport in Plants

8Transport in Mammals

9Gas Exchange

10Infectious Diseases

11Immunity

12Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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