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ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
A Resource Guide for Biotechnology Club
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This chapter contains background information,
experiment ideas and contact suggestions. Topics
covered include:
Animals in research
Clones
Transgenic animals
Animal health
Animal Biotech Page
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Animal Biotechnology
Animal biotechnology is a huge field of study and includes the following topics:
use of animals in research
clones
transgenic animals and gene pharming
animal health
Along with the scientific study, researchers must also deal with many tough scientific and
ethical challenges.
Use of Animals in Research
Animals play a vital role in primary research. The use of animal models permits
more rapid assessment of the effects of new medical treatments and other products.
Computer models and in vitro studies of cell cultures are often used as supplements to
animal research, but they can't entirely duplicate the results in living organisms. Recent
developments in animal biotechnology have changed medicine, agriculture, and the
efforts to preserve endangered animals.
For a new product to be approved for human use, the manufacturer must first
demonstrate that it is safe for use. Trials are required on cell cultures, in live animals, and
on human subjects. Testing on live animal models requires that two or more species be
used because different effects are observed in different animals. If problems are detected
in the animal tests, human subjects are never recruited for trials. The animals used most
often are pure-bred mice and rats, but other species are also used. Another extremely
valuable research animal is the zebrafish, a hardy aquarium fish. Dogs are used for the
study of cancer, heart disease and lung disorders. HIV and AIDS research is conducted
on monkeys and chimpanzees.
Animal research is very heavily regulated. The Animal Welfare Act sets standards
concerning the housing, feeding, cleanliness and medical care of research animals.
Veterinarians also conduct research which has led to new cancer treatments for pets and
studies in their adaptations for humans.
Internet background:
Texas Cooperative Extension sponsored by Texas A&M University -- Brochures and
information. Most brochures can be downloaded and viewed for free. Click for web
snapshot. (Page 9)
http://texasextension.tamu.edu/
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Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Good site for additional local contacts and
information. (Click for web snapshot). (Page 10)
http://taes.tamu.edu/
Animal welfare information center
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/labanimals/lab.htm
Local Contacts:
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists -- Area’s leading specialists in treating cancer in
dogs. They have many ongoing research projects and accept animals only on referral
http://www.gcvs.com/oncology.
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Clones
Creating a clone of your favorite animal seems like a great way to insure your pet
will be with you forever. Although this might be a goal of cloning, it is not the primary
focus of biotech specialists. Commercialization of cloning allows desirable traits to be
reliably propagated. Animal breeders are able to clone animals with superior traits such
as cows with high milk production or champion racehorses.
Embryo twinning (splitting embryos in half) was the first method of cloning used
to produce identical twin cattle. Since the twins are the result of mixing the genetic
material from two parents, the exact genetic make-up of the animal is not known until it
has matured.
Dolly (the very famous sheep that was the first mammal ever cloned in the lab),
however, was created from a single cell, not an embryo. DNA from a donor cell is
inserted into an egg that has had its own DNA removed. It is a very delicate and difficult
process. So far, animals successfully cloned include sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, cats, deer
and dogs.
One can imagine future uses of cloning that could include using preserved DNA
to help maintain endangered species or even recover extinct species!
Internet background:
Information and animations: background information about cloning (Click for web
snapshot) Page 18
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/
Time magazine’s reports on cloning
http://www.time.com/time/newsfiles/cloning
Internet activity:
Cloning of a mouse. Very user friendly interactive activity (click for web snapshot)
Page 14
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/clickandclone/
Activity:
Watch Jurassic Park. The first movie in the series does a good job of explaining the
science behind cloning an animal.
Contacts:
TA&M Veterinary Department
http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/vaph/
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Transgenic Animals and Gene Pharming
Pharming: not just a misspelled word! The term "pharming" comes from a
combination of the words "farming" and "pharmaceuticals" - a blending of the basic
methods of agriculture with advanced biotechnology.
Gene pharming is a technology that scientists use to alter an animal's own DNA,
or to splice in new DNA, called a transgene, from another species. In pharming, these
genetically modified (transgenic) animals are mostly used to make human proteins that
have medicinal value. The protein encoded by the transgene is secreted into the animal's
milk, eggs or blood, and then collected and purified. Livestock such as cattle, sheep,
goats, chickens, rabbits and pigs have already been modified in this way to produce
several useful proteins and drugs.
A transgenic animal is one that carries a foreign gene that has been deliberately
inserted into its genome. The foreign gene is constructed using recombinant DNA
methodology. Two methods of producing transgenic animals are widely used: (1)
transforming embryonic stem cells (ES cells) growing in tissue culture with the desired
DNA and (2) injecting the desired gene into the pronucleus of a fertilized egg.
Desirable genes from one species are transferred to other animals or species to
improve the productivity of livestock. Faster growth rates, leaner growth patterns, more
resistance to disease, increased milk production, more efficient metabolism, and
transferring antimicrobial genes to farm animals are some of the goals of transgenic
animal researchers.
One interesting GMO organism that has been in the news lately is the “glowing
fish.” GloFish ™ fluorescent zebra fish were specially bred to help detect environmental
pollutants. Information about the GloFish ™ can be found at:
http://www.glofish.com/about.asp
Internet Resources:
Transgenic Animals: background information with graphics and links concerning
transgenic animals and the methods used to produce them.
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/T/TransgenicAnimals.html
Genetic pharming explained in simple terms. Nice graphics and links. (Click for web
snapshot) Page 11
http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/features/pharming
Information for high school students. Also has link for printing poster, Making a
Transgenic Animal (Click for web snapshot) Page 13
http://osms.otago.ac.nz/main/bursary/gmanimals.html#traits
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Publication:
Biotech Institute (a nonprofit organization located in Virginia): Publishes a magazine,
Your World, concerning biotechnology applications in healthcare, agriculture, the
environment and industry. Published for children in grades 9-12 and available as a
subscription. Some back issues can be downloaded for free. The website has links to
other biotech related sites. (Click for web snapshot) Page 12
http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/your_world_magazine.html
Computer Simulation:
Virtual Fly Lab: The lab will familiarize students with the science and techniques used
to make transgenic flies. The program is very colorful, instructive and interactive. (Click
for information) Page 15
http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/
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Animal Health
Animal breeders are always interested in new techniques to increase the
frequency of desired characteristics. Zoos also serve as research centers for preservation
of endangered species.
Disease prevention and detection is another area where modern biotechnology can
make important contributions. Many animal diseases are very contagious and can be
economically devastating. Recombinant DNA technology may be the only way of
preventing some of the more widespread diseases found in developing countries. Some of
the diseases of concern are: dysentery, African horse sickness, bovine leucosis, foot-andmouth disease, mad cow disease, coccidiosis, trypanosomiasis, theileriosis and bird flu.
Internet resources:
Animal health background information
http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/Animal_Health_Overview.html -Diseases of farm animals: information and great pictures
http://www.iah.bbsrc.ac.uk/schools/factfiles.htm
Montgomery College Biotech Institute: information on bird flu
http://wwwappsmc.nhmccd.edu/biotech/news.htm
Local Contacts:
Montgomery County Extension Agency
9020 FM 1484
Airport Road
Conroe, TX 77303
Phone: 936-539-7822
Fax: 936-788-8394
Email: [email protected]
Houston Zoo
http://www.houstonzoo.org/
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Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America
2315 N. Main Ste. 402, Fort Worth, TX 76106
PHONE (817) 625-6241 FAX (817) 625-1388
E-mail: [email protected]
American Brahman Breeders Association
3003 South Loop West, Suite 140
Houston, Texas 77054
713/349-0854
713/349-9795 FAX
[email protected] EMAIL
Field Trips:
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Usually begins in late February or early March. It
features the latest in animal science. It can be fun, cost effective and educational.
Montgomery County Livestock Show: Closer to schools in the Conroe area
www.mcfa.org
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http://texasextension.tamu.edu/
Animal Biotech Page
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http://taes.tamu.edu/
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http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/features/pharming
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http://www.biotechinstitute.org/resources/your_world_magazine.html
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http://osms.otago.ac.nz/main/bursary/gmanimals.html#traits
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http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/clickandclone/
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http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/
Transgenic Fly Lab
The transgenic fly lab will familiarize students with the science and techniques used to
make transgenic flies. Transgenic organisms, which contain DNA that is inserted
experimentally, are used to study many biological processes. In this lab, you will create a
transgenic fly to study circadian rhythms. The fly glows only when a certain gene
involved in circadian rhythms is activated. After making the glowing fly, students will
use it to explore basic principles of circadian biology and genetics.
Teachers can access more information on how this exercise can be used in classes.
Basic Steps
1. Make transgenic flies.
Prepare DNA that will be incorporated into the fly genome.
Prepare fly embryos.
Inject fly embryos with DNA.
Breed flies.
Select transgenic progeny.
Examine light output from transgenic adults.
2. Use transgenic flies to study circadian rhythms and genetics.
Measure per-luc gene expression (that is, light emissions) under
different light-dark conditions.
Examine different fly body parts for per-luc expression.
Learning Objectives
Understand how recombinant DNA technology is used to produce transgenic flies.
Use light production as an external marker of internal molecular events.
Explore the relationship between genes and behavior.
Understand how transgenic organisms can be used to explore complex biological
processes.
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Learn that all organisms contain an internal molecular clock that regulates daily
rhythms.
For teachers: This virtual laboratory exercise can be used as a supplement to your
existing curriculum or as a pre-lab to experiments related to those illustrated in the lab.
There are quiz questions embedded in the laboratory. These quizzes, designed to further
the user's understanding, can be used several ways. Your students may choose to submit
answers to the quizzes, or they may skip the questions. If you, the teacher, would like
assurance that the quiz questions have been answered, you may ask your students to print
out their responses.
The laboratory focuses on the production of transgenic flies that contain the period
promoter adjacent to the luciferase reporter gene. However, the techniques illustrated in
this virtual laboratory can be used to insert many different types of DNA constructs. You
may choose to expand the laboratory by having your students simulate the production of
other types of transgenic flies. You may investigate other genes involved in circadian
rhythms, such as the timeless gene for which tim-luc constructs have been made
(Stanewsky et al. 1998). Students may compare the tim-luc data with that of the per-luc
data. Teachers can also adapt this laboratory to study genes important in a wide range of
biological functions.
Researchers regularly use molecular biology sequence databases for many purposes,
including the design of constructs used in creating transgenic organisms. Embedded in
the laboratory (Part 1: Prepare DNA) is a short tutorial on the use of a few key resources
available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the
National Institute of Health (NIH). Students use these resources within the context of this
virtual lab to confirm that the sequence in the construct they are using is indeed from the
per promoter. You may want to expand your students' explorations of molecular biology
resources by following links to NCBI education sites. In addition to learning about
available NCBI resources, your students can learn about the per gene in humans and
relationships to human circadian biology disorders.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Class/MLACourse/Modules/cover_circadian_exercises.htm1
This exercise guides students through the development and analysis of hypothesis-driven
research problems. Students select and test a hypothesis by performing virtual
experiments and analyzing data. Data tables are completed and can be printed and turned
in to an instructor. Following the analysis of the data, students are asked questions about
their results and asked to evaluate their hypothesis. The exercises emphasize the
importance of analysis and interpretation, even when the hypothesis turns out to be
incorrect.
The laboratory may also be a starting point to discuss issues related to biotechnology.
What regulations are researchers required to follow when producing genetically
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engineered organisms? Should there be fewer or more regulations? What might happen if
one of the glowing flies was accidentally released into the wild?
Especially when the virtual lab is used as an exercise that precedes actual laboratory
experiments, different steps can be discussed in more detail. For example, in Part 5, when
the flies are being sorted, a few flies wake up and fly away from the microscope stage.
What could be done to keep the flies anesthetized for a longer period? A different
anesthetic, such as ether, could be used. Or, the stage could be re-designed so that CO2
flows in a compartment below the sorting stage, keeping the flies anesthetized.
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http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/units/cloning/
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