Insulin production in bacteria is a biotechnology application with great significance to human health. First, because it provides reliable means through which insulin is produced in large volumes to meet the ever increasing demand by patients who suffer from type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (William & Michael, 2003). Industrial production of Insulin in bacteria is therefore my biotechnology application of choice.
Recombinant DNA technology application in pharmaceutical production specifically in insulin production in bacteria is a widely applied biotechnology. It involves several procedures including cloning of human insulin-producing genes into desired bacteria (E. Coli Strains), eventual translation of the recombinant DNA into proteins (insulin). Basically, human cells are isolated then grown in tissue culture. DNA is isolated from the human cells and mixed with plasmid DNA from a bacterium then cut with restriction enzymes. The desired human DNA insert is incorporated into plasmid then transferred into bacterium cell for duplication. After transformation, bacteria colonies are screened to identify the cells that have incorporated human gene for insulin. Cells with recombinant plasmids are grown in a fermentor to produce numerous insulin-producing bacteria. Finally, the produced mass of insulin producing bacteria are collected and broken up to recover insulin protein expressed from the human insulin gene. The insulin recovered is then purified and packaged as pharmaceutical drugs such as HumulinN (Manjula, 2007).
Insulin production in bacteria involves cloning thus it is a typical example of biotechnology. Moreover, this application has a major benefit in that; large scale production of human insulin is obtained from bacteria.
From the biotechnological perspective, this biotechnology application does not seem to be associated with any negative impact because proper screening is done during insulin production. In addition, no harmful proteins are known to be produced in this application thus it is safe (William & Michael, 2003).
Peer Post Replies
Post by – Shontelisha Mitchell
Hi Mitchell! I liked your choice of Biotechnology application. In fact, Genetically Modified Organism’s (GMO) technology is currently gaining a widespread popularity. This is probably because of its reproducibility and easy application, especially in the Agricultural field for production of food products to meet the current nutritional needs of the whole population. Ordinarily, plant genome is easy to manipulate while maintaining the plant’s initial genetic composition. For instance, disease-resistance genes in a low-yielding crop can be incorporated into the genome of a high-yielding crop which is naturally susceptible to that particular disease. As such, the modified plant is conferred with disease-resistance ability. Moreover, note that ability to produce foods fortified with essential nutrients such as vitamins is one of the major benefits (Tomme, 2004). On drawbacks, mutagens may result to production of harmful compounds. Thanks!
Post – Diana Shropshire
Hi Diana! Your choice of biotechnology application is magnificent. Fingerprinting has become a useful tool biomedical research, medicine and crime investigations. More important to note is parenthood determination. It is more precise than the old blood typing technique. However, it is relatively expensive since it involves a highly delicate procedure (Marina, 2006). Secondly, fingerprinting does not provide adequate information about distant family relations due to genetic diversity.
Post by – Mustafa Idris
Hi Mustafa! I liked your post about Influenza vaccine. This vaccine has been very effective in preventing Influenza virus infections, more specifically: Influenza flu. Its major drawback is that, being a live-attenuated vaccine, the virus may reverse into its pathogenic state thus causing fatal consequences. In addition, handling the virus poses risk to biotechnologists (Richard, 2009). In addition, administration of Influenza vaccine to infants causes thrash before assimilation. Thanks!
References
Manjula, S., (2007). Animal Biotechnology. New Delhi: Laxmi Publications.
Marina, M., (2006). Focus on DNA Fingerprinting Research. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Richard, W., & Walter, A., (2009). Vaccines for Pandemic Influenza. Berlin: Springer Publishers.
Tomme, R. Y., (2004). Genetically Modified Organisms and Biosafety: A Background Paper for Decision-Makers and Others to Assist in Consideration of GMO Issues. Rue Mauverney: IUCN Policy and Global Change Group.
William. S. K., & Michael, R. C., (2003). Concepts of Genetics. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.