GENERAL BIOLOGY
TRENDS OF SCIENCE
The lecturer : Dra. Martina Asiati Napitupulu, M. Sc
Presented by :
Dinda Anggita Maysarah
4183141061
BILINGUAL BIOLOGY CLASS
BIOLOGY EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM
FACULTY OF MATEMATIC AND SCIENCE 2018
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF MEDAN
Trends of Science
A. Genetic modified organisms : Plants glowing in the dark
Antony Evans of Cambridge University, Kyle Taylor and Omri Amirav-
Drory of Stamford University, have created the "glow in the dark" plant in the
DIY California biolab. Inspired by fireflies that can produce bioluminescence,
bioluminescence is a process that makes a creature capable of producing
naturally occurring light from its body by obtaining a luminous protein enzyme
called Luciferase. They then use a software called Genome Compiler that
allows plants to read genes. The gene is then made in the laboratory and sent to
the team in California, this gene is placed in liquid agrobacteria and the bacteria
are poured on the plant. Agrobacteria is able to transfer genes into plants and to
make this gene, scientists must redesign the DNA sequence, using DNA in
fireflies - this flaming firefight can replace the use of light on the highway.
In a transformation system, usually gene interes that will be transferred
to plants in clones first in a plasmid vector that can multiply in agrobacterium
tumefaciens or Escherichia coli. The gene is combined with a promoter that can
be read by plants and coupled with the right terminator. Thus, the mRNA
transcript can be transported from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm for the
translation process. Plasmids used for plant transformation not only contain
genes of desired traits or characters, but also marker genes for selection, such
as npt II genes for antibiotic resistance (kanamycin) or bar genes to tolerate
glufosinate herbicides. Plants that can be included in these genes include kale,
watercress, argula, spinach and tobacco trees that can be seen on the highway.
B. Genetic spider producing silk that is inserted into the DNA of goats
Randy Lewis, professor of molecular biology with other researchers
from the University of Wyoming, it has succeeded in inserting the silk spider
gene and implanting it in female goats to produce protein (silk) in milk, the way
the gene is inserted into the DNA is called recombinant DNA, the result that
female goats can form proteins spider silk in their sus. the protein is activated
using amino acids which then make milk as an imitation of the fibers of the
spider web. The milk produced then milked and then purified and dried. The
end result will be mivrofiber (thin silk thread). Furthermore, the microfiber is
spun into yarn with a thickness of 1 mm in diameter, called the BioSteel thread.
BioStell has more strength than steel, with a strength of 150,000 kg
perincin square and is compatible with the human body, therefore biosteel is
utilized in the military world as a material for making bulletproof vests and can
also be used for medical purposes such as to make surgical threads, surgical
gloves , artificial ligaments and tendons, for sewing eye injuries, and for repair
of the jaw.
Actually silk spiders have produced biosteel, but spiders tend to be
territorial that can make spiders kill each other for this reason the researchers
inserted spider genes in goats to make it easier to produce biosteel on a large
scale.
Bibliography
Campbell,Neil A.2002. Biologi Edisi Kelima Jilid 1. Jakarta : Erlangga.
Bennet, J. 1993. Genes for crop improvements. Generic Enginering vol 16 : 93-113
Watson, J.D, dkk.1192. Recombinant DNA. Scientific American Book. New York.NY.
626 p.
Lazariz, Anthoula. 2002. http://www.sciencemag.org/(jurnal: “Spider Silk Fiber Spun
from Soluble Recombinant Silk Produced in Mammalian cell” dipublikasikan 18
january 2002 oleh anthoula Lazariz dkk.)
