I have tried to summarize the major applications of the products of recombinant DNA technology (RDT)

1. Application of
Recombinant DNA
Products
Ashes Karki Chhetri
201503015

2. What is recombinant DNA?
 It is a form of DNA constructed in the laboratory, transferring selected pieces of
DNA from one organism to another.
 The recombinant DNA molecule is inserted a host organism to produce new
genetic combinations that are of value to science, agriculture, medicine and
industry.
 The first rDNA molecules, 1973, Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer, Annie Chang and
Stanley Cohen of Stanford university and University of California.

3. One of the first therapeutic proteins that was
Genetically cloned
Genetically manipulated mice
Hep B vaccine produced
by Recombinant DNA
tech. by inserting HPV
genetic information into
yeast cells

4.  RDT is used for many different purposes in research, medicine,
agriculture and industry.
 By 2001 over 80 recombinant DNA based products had been
approved for treating disease and for vaccination and a further
350 recombinant DNA-based drugs were being tested for safety
and efficacy.
 In medicine, genetic engineering has been used to mass-produce
insulin, human growth hormones, follistim (for treating infertility),
human albumin, monoclonal antibodies, antihemophilic factors,
vaccines, and many other drugs.
 Biochemical products of recombinant DNA technology in
agriculture include: golden rice, herbicide-resistant crops, and
insect-resistant crops.
 Industrial applications include transforming microorganisms such
as bacteria or yeast, or insect mammalian cells with a gene coding
for a useful protein.

5. 1. Human Insulin
 one of its earliest uses of RDNA tech. in pharmaceuticals was gene splicing to manufacture large
amounts of insulin, made using cells of E. coli bacteria.
 Approval for use of recombinant insulin for treatment of diabetes mellitus was given in 1892
2. Interferon
 Product of genetic engineering
 Used to eliminate certain viruses and kill cancer cells
 It is a type of cytokine and a type of biological response modifier
3. Human GH
 Produced through genetically engineered bacteria and yeasts
 Administered in dwarf patients to support normal growth and development
 E.g, somatotropin
4. Human urokinase
 Plasminogen activator used in vascular diseases
 Used to dissolve blood clots or prevent development of blood clots

6. 5. Human factor VII
 Blood clotting protein administered to patients forms of bleeding disorder,
hemophilia
 To support normal blood coagulation
6. Bovine somatotropin
 Hormone administered to lactating cows
 Acts by preventing mammary cell death
7. Transgenic Bt plants
 They are insect resistant transgenic plants
 produced by incorporating insecticidal toxin, producing Bt genes
8. Genetically Modified Products
 Organisms or plants whose genetic material has been altered using genetic
engineering
 Used in biological and medical research, and production of pharmaceutical drugs,
experimental drugs, etc
 Include GM vegetables, crops, microbes and animals

7. 9. Hereditary diseases carrier diagnosis
 Tests to determine if a person is carrying the gene for : cystic fibrosis, Tay sachs disease,
Huntington’s disease or Duchenne muscular dystrophy
10. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
 A gonadotropin (a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone)
 E.g., Follistim AQ, hormone : regulates ovulation in infertile women who cannot ovulate
11. Recombinant chymosin
 Enzyme use to manfacture cheese
 First genetically engineered food additive used commercially
 Today, about 60% of US hard cheese is made with g.e chymosin
12. Recombinant Hep. B vaccine
 hepatitis B infection controlled through the use of recombinant hep. B vaccine
 Contains a form of hep. B virus surface antigen produced in yeast cells

8. 13. Diagnosis of HIV infection
 Three most widely used methods for diagnosing HIV infection has been developed using RD
; ELISA, Western blot & RT-PCR
 ELISA & western blot use recombinant protein to test for presence of antibodies produced
by the body in response to HIV infection
 RT-PCR looks for the presence of HIV genetic material
14. Golden rice
 Recombinant variety of rice, engineered to express the enzymes responsible for beta
carotene biosynthesis
 Promises to reduces incidences of vit. A deficiency worldwide
 Not currently in use, pending regulatory and intellectual property issues
15. Energy application
 Several microorganism, specifically cyanobacteria, mediate hydrogen production,
which is environment friendly energy source
 Application of RDT have shown positive results to increase the hydrogen production
in cyanobacteria and other biofuels
 Commercialization of this energy source will keep the environment clean

9. CONCLUSION
 Recombinant DNA technology is an important development in science that has made the human
life much easier.
 In recent years, it has advanced strategies for biomedical applications such as cancer treatment,
genetic diseases, diabetes, and several plants disorders especially viral and fungal resistance.
 The challenges in improving the products at gene level sometimes face serious difficulties which
are needed to be dealt for the betterment of the recombinant DNA technology future.
 Several concerns exist right now about the use of RDT and their products, so extensive research
is required in this field to overcome such issues and to resolve the issues of common people.