The principles of the various genetic modifying processes

There are six genetically modifying techniques widely used in the biotech industry currently.

1.) Bacterial carrier
Bacterial carriers make use of appropriate infectious bacteria such as Agrobacterium. DNA that expresses desired traits is inserted into the bacteria’s extra chromosomal (plasmid) through the use of a special heated solvent which increases the permeability of the bacteria’s cell wall. Next, the altered bacteria recover and make copies of the new gene at the same time. This is dropped into the solution and started to infect the plant cells. Plants cells are then cultivated to grow into crops with the desired traits.

2.) Calcium Phosphate Precipitation
The calcium phosphate precipitation technique exposed selected DNA to calcium phosphate that will lead to formation of tiny granules which the target cells surround, and ingest by endocytosis. Ingested granules will release DNA in the cell and be delivered to the host nuclei and chromosomes where the desired traits are expressed from.

3.) Electroporation
In the process of electroporation, a short intense electric current is flown through a solution that contains the target cells and selected DNA. The input of electric current results in the formation of small spores of the target cells so as to allow the selected DNA to access to the nuclei. This process of incorporating selected DNA into host chromosomes provide the host with new traits.

4.) Gene Silencing
The principle of gene silencing works differently from those that were discussed above. This method of modification attaches a second copy of the target gene the other way round to disrupt other genes in the target cells. In this way, the production of undesired proteins responsible for human allergies is prevented, thus ‘silencing’ the other genes. An alternative of gene silencing is to insert a foreign DNA to inactivate genes that produce the allergens.

5.) Gene Splicing
Gene splicing involves restriction enzymes in different bacteria that attack the foreign DNA. The DNA are then ‘spliced’ into pieces and prevented from entering the bacteria’s chromosome. The process of ‘splicing’ makes the DNA adhesive and pasted onto the target cell’s DNA, easing the transfer of DNA to modify traits.

6.) Biolistics
Biolistics aim to insert DNA into target cells. However, a different technique is used. Biolistics involve the firing of DNA laden microscopic particles of gold or tungsten into the target cells using a burst of gas under pressure, leaving the target altered cells to be cultivated to express desired traits.