Exam 17: Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology and Reverse Genetics

If a plant species cannot readily have a new gene integrated into it via a Ti plasmid,it must then be subjected to different methods.These often include removing the cell wall and inserting DNA,after treating the membrane with heat or electricity to do what to the membrane?

Positional cloning identified the human homologue of the Drosophila patched (PTCH)gene as a candidate gene for the human disorder NBCCS or Gorlin syndrome.Screening of the patched coding region revealed a wide spectrum of mutations in NBCCS patients.Most of these mutations were predicted to result in premature protein truncation.What phenomenon would the researchers look for in the patients?

Besides the obvious fact that chemical mutagens are dangerous to handle,another major disadvantage to their use is that

You have evidence that a gene,VTE4,of known sequence and well-understood transcriptional regulation,is available from another lab.The product of this gene enables seeds to produce a significantly increased amount of vitamin E from a substrate already produced in Brassica napus,the plant that gives us canola oil.To produce canola oil with increased vitamin E,how would you proceed?

In reverse genetics,what is the correct order in which the experimenter proceeds?

In the pUC plasmids,a polylinker region that includes multiple restriction sites is embedded in the lacZ component.If a sequence of interest is inserted into this region,what is the effect on lacZ?

In Drosophila,mutation screening usually involves use of a balancer chromosome that includes three elements: a set of overlapping inversions,an easily recognized dominant mutation,and a recessive lethal mutation that prevents balancer homozygotes from surviving.Which one,or combination,of these elements is necessary and sufficient to suppress crossovers?

Enhancer trapping might occur if you create a library of insertions bearing enhancer-less GAL4 genes.Their expression will be controlled by

In nature,what is the order of events in processing the product of the gene for insulin?

In the case of Jesse Gelsinger,a young man who died during gene therapy,the therapy involved delivery via a viral vector.Was this germ-line or somatic therapy?