Genetically Modified Organisms

1. Genetically Modified Organisms - plants, animals, microorganisms - add or take away traits

2. Why use GMOs? • old method: • traditional breeding -new method: direct introduction of desired trait

3. How are organisms genetically modified? (I) Direct DNA transfer electroporation microinjection biolistics (plants) (II) Vector assisted transmission

4. Healthy plant Wound near base of stem Agrobacterium tumefaciens Bacteria invade wound Rapid cell division in plant - Crown Gall

5. Tumour Inducing Plasmid of A. tumefaciens T-DNA (oncogenes) ~200 kb Virulence region Host specificity region

6. Plasmid invades plant cell Plant chromosomal DNA Ti integrated T-DNA T-DNA T-DNA Plant DNA rapid cell division synthesis of opines

7. T-DNA of a wild type Ti plasmid iaaH iaaM ipt nos Oncogenes - auxin synthesis, cytokinin synthesis, growth stimulation Gene transfer using the T-DNA of a plasmid promoter terminator selection marker - kanamycin gene(s) of interest

8. When is a carrot not a carrot? Golden Rice

9. Herbicide resistance built in to maize

10. Cotton Boll Weevil Monarch Butterfly Bt Cotton

11. Improving health care

12. Vaccines - Cholera

13. Insulin Dependent Diabetes

14. Clearing up after war

16. Nephila clavipes Capra hircus BioSteel

17. Transgenics - example of inactivated genes Antisense strategy • blocking of enzyme synthesis to improve the • quality of fruit • e.g. polygalacturonic • acid in tomato the • “Flavr Savr”

18. Types of modifications introduced into plants between 1987 and 1999 Herbicide tolerance 30% Insect resistance 25% Product quality 20% Resistance to viruses or fungi 15% Agronomical qualities 7% Other 3%

19. Examples of introduced genes Improvement of nutritional qualities Herbicide resistance Resistance to plant pathogens Resistance to abiotic stress Increased Production or Yield Health care Safety Matters

20. Other….

21. The scaredy goat Tennessee Fainting Goats