Applications of Recombinant DNA
Biology: Cambridge International A Level, topic 19.2.2
Applications of Recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA has a variety of important applications:
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Applications of Recombinant DNA
What type of cells are modified to produce factor VII?
What enzyme is used to treat severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)?