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Applications of Genetic Engineering

	Applications of Genetic Engineering - Genetic engineering has wide, applications in modem biotechnology. For various industrial processes, this technique may be used in microorganisms as well as with higher organisms. The principle involved is the construction of plasmids of desired biochemical characteristics. Plasmid technology is being hailed by many as the beginning of modem industrial microbiology. The plasmids are tiny ringlets of DNA, apart from the chromosome, that may contain 2-250 genes. They exist autonomously in the cell. The plasmids can be spliced with genes from an unrelated organism. The genes now function to produce the protein (of unrelated organism) in the cell of host microorganism. The following are the chief possible applications:
(1) Plasmids of one bacterium may be spliced with genes from other bacterium. For example it is found that plasmids of Pseudomonas will function in other Gram-negative bacteria as Escherichia, Proteus or Rhizohium and those staphylococcal plasmids can be transferred to Bacillus subtilis cells, where they will replicate and express themselves.
(2) Since microbial cells have a much higher metabolic rate, genes of desired enzymes (of commercial values) could be introduced into plasmid of bacteria. For instance genes of amylase synthesis could be derived from yeasts by introducing plasmid genes for amylase production. This would enhance the process of beer fermentations. Similarly genes for cellulase synthesis could be incorporated into plasmids of microbes. The resulting large scale cellulases could be utilised for cellulose degradation. (3) Even nitrogen fertilisers may be eliminated by incorporating plasmids, containing bacterial genes for nitrogen fixation into the plant cells.
(4) Plasmid technology has shown that products like insulin, interferon, vaccines and human growth hormones may be industrially possible. By 1984, over 200companies world over had established gene splicing experiments, and working, on industrial applications of genetic engineering. One company in 1980 could harvest insulin from bacteria whose plasmids had been spliced with DNA for this protein. The DNA was from chromosome number 11 of human cells, thus product was identical with human insulin. Marketed by Eli Lilly Corporation, the bacterial insulin, humulin, is identical with human insulin. In 1980, interferon was produced by genetic engineering from bacterial cells. By 1986, interferon from engineered bacteria was being tested on rabies victims, common cold patients and cancer patients
	Scientists have also inserted genes into bacteria for the production of human growth hormone. This hormone is used to treat dwarfism. In 1986, the hormone became commercially available as protropin. In June 1981, a vaccine for foot and mouth disease was developed by genetic engineering firm. There are many other products derived from genetic engineering. Urokinase, a clot dissolving enzyme is produced from genetically engineering bacteria. Endorphin, a pain killer is also derived from bacteria Bacteria have also been engineered to live solely on toxic wastes in the environment. A gene for hair digesting enzyme is inserted into plasmid of bacteria. There are also attempts to engineer plants with bacterial genes that trap N2 and convert it to a form that could be easily taken by the plant. Yeasts are being engineered to yield enzymes for cheese industry.

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