----------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
There have been numerous arguments for and against the use of genetically modified organisms, GMOs, in many quarters. While genetic engineering has been part of drug manufacturing for a long time, it is the use of these techniques in food production that appears to be generating a lot of jitters. Transgenic organisms appear to generate even more controversy owing to the fact that they have genetic material obtained from other species. In a bid to get safer products, researchers are now considering using a genetically engineered organelle.
The nucleus has been the main target for genetic modification for many years. With advancing research, it has become evident that a number of processes can be undertaken on other organelles to achieve the same results. The organelles that have emerged as the most ideal are chloroplasts and mitochondria. Chloroplasts are only present in plants but mitochondria can be found in both plants and animals cells.
Mitochondria are one of the most important organelles in a cell. Without them, cells can only survive for a limited duration of time. This is because they are the powerhouse of cells and provide energy required for various biochemical reactions that are needed by the cell. Just like the nucleus, mitochondria possess their own genome. This genome is smaller that what is found in the nucleus.
One of the theories that have been advanced to explain the presence of genetic material in mitochondria proposes that they were initially independent primitive organisms. They were largely parasitic depending on other unicellular organisms for most of their functions. As they evolved over thousands of years, some of their genome was lost and they could, therefore, not exist on their own. They entered the cell and started a symbiotic relationship. This theory has also been used for chloroplasts.
Chloroplasts are vital to the process of photosynthesis. This is a process that occurs in green plants and involves the use of sunlight energy in food production by a plant cell. These structures have also been established to also play a vital role in processes such as fatty acid synthesis, amino acid synthesis and mounting immune responses by the cells. Chloroplasts posses a DNA that takes on a circular conformation in most cells. Genetic modification of this DNA is passed on to daughter cells through inheritance.
Genome modification involves several steps. The first is gene isolation. This is where the desired gene is identified and obtained either from another cell or by synthesis. Several copies of genes have been studied and isolated and are now available in the genetic library. This may serve as an alternative source. Addition of various elements such as promoter and terminator regions makes the gene active.
The next step involves insertion of the isolated gene into an organelle (mitochondria or chloroplast). If the targeted cell is a bacterium, processes such as electric shocking and thermal stimulation may be required. In animal cells, the most common technique is known as microinjection. Those used in plants include antibacterial mediated recombination, electroporation and biolistics among others.
It is worth noting that inserting a genetic material into a cell only affects that cell at the time. The cell has to be propagated so as to have a whole organism. Plant cells are regenerated through tissue culture while animal cells are allowed to just undergo cell division since the cells involved are stem cells capable of dividing.
The nucleus has been the main target for genetic modification for many years. With advancing research, it has become evident that a number of processes can be undertaken on other organelles to achieve the same results. The organelles that have emerged as the most ideal are chloroplasts and mitochondria. Chloroplasts are only present in plants but mitochondria can be found in both plants and animals cells.
Mitochondria are one of the most important organelles in a cell. Without them, cells can only survive for a limited duration of time. This is because they are the powerhouse of cells and provide energy required for various biochemical reactions that are needed by the cell. Just like the nucleus, mitochondria possess their own genome. This genome is smaller that what is found in the nucleus.
One of the theories that have been advanced to explain the presence of genetic material in mitochondria proposes that they were initially independent primitive organisms. They were largely parasitic depending on other unicellular organisms for most of their functions. As they evolved over thousands of years, some of their genome was lost and they could, therefore, not exist on their own. They entered the cell and started a symbiotic relationship. This theory has also been used for chloroplasts.
Chloroplasts are vital to the process of photosynthesis. This is a process that occurs in green plants and involves the use of sunlight energy in food production by a plant cell. These structures have also been established to also play a vital role in processes such as fatty acid synthesis, amino acid synthesis and mounting immune responses by the cells. Chloroplasts posses a DNA that takes on a circular conformation in most cells. Genetic modification of this DNA is passed on to daughter cells through inheritance.
Genome modification involves several steps. The first is gene isolation. This is where the desired gene is identified and obtained either from another cell or by synthesis. Several copies of genes have been studied and isolated and are now available in the genetic library. This may serve as an alternative source. Addition of various elements such as promoter and terminator regions makes the gene active.
The next step involves insertion of the isolated gene into an organelle (mitochondria or chloroplast). If the targeted cell is a bacterium, processes such as electric shocking and thermal stimulation may be required. In animal cells, the most common technique is known as microinjection. Those used in plants include antibacterial mediated recombination, electroporation and biolistics among others.
It is worth noting that inserting a genetic material into a cell only affects that cell at the time. The cell has to be propagated so as to have a whole organism. Plant cells are regenerated through tissue culture while animal cells are allowed to just undergo cell division since the cells involved are stem cells capable of dividing.
About the Author:
If you are searching for information about genetically engineered organelle, come to our web pages online today. More details are available at http://www.skinapus.com/for-patients-families now.
0 comments:
Post a Comment