With the development of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology in recent years, genetic engineering became more relevant than ever. Learning basic genetic engineering principles will allow individuals to participate in innovation in these areas and conduct scientific research. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of genetic engineering and techniques in this field.
Genetic Engineering Terminology
In order to understand how genetic engineering works, it is necessary to learn more about terms used in this field. By genetic engineering, one should understand a set of techniques allowing for manipulation of organisms’ DNA in order to introduce desirable features to them. These techniques might include gene editing, cloning, and transgenic expression.
Techniques of Gene Editing
Manipulation of genes in organisms can be done through gene editing. By gene editing, one should understand a process of changing a certain gene within an organism. Among efficient techniques used in gene editing are CRISPR (Clustered Regular Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and TALENs (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases). With CRISPR, scientists insert a guide RNA into an organism’s genome that recognizes a particular sequence within DNA. Once it finds it, it cuts it and allows scientists to manipulate this part of DNA further.
With TALEN technique, there is a protein known as transcription activator-like effector (TALE) that is responsible for recognizing the target sequence. Once the target sequence is found by TALE, an enzyme is activated in order to cut the DNA sequence and conduct modifications.
Cloning and Transgenic Expression
In addition to gene editing, scientists have the ability to reproduce organisms with the help of DNA cloning. There are many methods that can be used for cloning, among which are somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and DNA sequencing. In order to clone organisms with SCNT, a researcher transfers the nucleus of a somatic cell to an egg and stimulates its division and further development to create a copy of the organism.
Transgenic expression involves introducing genes from one organism to the DNA of another in order to develop desired characteristics. Two main techniques used in this area are microinjection and electroporation. As for the former, one simply inserts a DNA fragment to another organism via needle injection. The latter involves usage of electricity that helps to inject the needed DNA fragment to an organism.
Application of Genetic Engineering
As has been mentioned above, there are many applications of genetic engineering. For example, one can apply genetic engineering techniques when dealing with genetic diseases and developing a medication for them. One of the examples of successful usage of this technique includes curing sickle cell anemia using CRISPR technology. Moreover, genetic engineering is helpful when creating disease-resistant crops.
Future Directions
Although current methods of manipulating DNA sequences are effective, the future looks promising for genetic engineering as well. For example, nowadays geneticists work on creating advanced gene editing techniques that will allow them to manipulate DNA sequences of human embryos in order to prevent any genetic disease from occurring in their bodies. Apart from that, the area of immunotherapies is also developing and scientists try to create new types of CAR-T cell therapy used for eliminating cancerous cells.
Conclusion and Call to Action
With the development of technology and genetics, genetic engineering became increasingly popular as it offers many opportunities to treat genetic diseases and make innovative discoveries. Hopeful, this paper was helpful and exciting enough for readers to get more information on genetic engineering. In case they are interested in the field, they may want to subscribe to scientific magazines.
