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Uses Of Biotechnology

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By: Sumit Sharma

Assistant proff. In biotechnology�

IDENTIFYING TESTING – DNA FINGERPRINTING

• DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory technique used to determine the probable identity of a person based on the nucleotide sequences of certain regions of human DNA that are unique to individuals. This looks at the benign variation in DNA sequences that exist between people in the population and has many applications, such as, forensic testing to solve crimes, paternity testing, monitoring bone marrow transplants as it can be used to distinguish donor from the recipient cells.

TISSUE TYPE TESTING – HLA (HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN) TYPING OR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY TESTING

• This is a blood test that measures substances called antigens on the surface of the bodily cells and tissues. Checking the antigens can tell if donor cells is safe (compatible) for transplant to another person. In some cases, a tissue type testing may be done to see whether a person has a chance for developing certain diseases that cause to attack it’s own cells, such as autoimmune diseases.

PHARAMCOGENICS TESTING

• This is the newest area which looks at benign variants in the human genome in genes that are involved in drug metabolism and alter subtly how a drug is metabolized. Such tests will be useful prior to initiation of therapy in order to choose the best or most appropriate therapy for the patient. This is one key technologies in what is popularly referred to as “personalized medicine”.

MOLECULAR TESTING : PROS AND CONS

MERITS

1. Rapid turnaround time: Testing can take as little as a few hours versus a few days for other tests like bacterial culture.
2. Sensitivity: Organisms that are difficult or impossible to grow in a lab can be detected, and they can often be detected at lower levels than with other diagnostic methods.

DEMERITS

1. Sample contamination: This is a common concern with highly sensitive molecular tests – even a minute amount of contamination in the sample can cause a false positive result.
2. Test inhibition: Samples from complex biological sites (e.g. stool) can contain substances that interfere with the many complex molecular reactions upon which the tests rely. Without good (and proven) methods to prepare the sample, this can result in a false negative result.
3. Biologically irrelevant results: Some bacteria that cause disease are also commonly found as part of the normal microflora in healthy animals – simply finding it does not tell you that it is necessarily relevant to the problem.
4. Lack of validation: This is a common problem with many (if not most) molecular tests. Some companies, especially those that just run molecular tests, offer a huge array of completely unvalidated and sometimes illogical tests.

PCR FOR THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES(VIRAL/BACTERIAL)

• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) are the fast tests and they are very accurate in case of the diagnosis of the diseases and genetic disorders. The test work on finding the DNA or RNA of the pathogen (the disease causing organism) or the abnormal cell in the sample which may or may not be the part of the body.

• LIMITATION OF THE PROCESS:
• There are many shortcomings to the technique as well, the clinical diagnosis may lead to a false-positive from the background DNA contamination, detection sensitivity exceeding clinical significance, and limited detection space of the assay or platform for simultaneous identification of the multiple species, virulence factor, or drug resistance.

PCR OF VIRAL DISEASES

Nucleic acid testing is a molecular technology that detects viral DNA or RNA. The detection of specific DNA and RNA from viruses is mainly performed by PCR. These molecular techniques are commonly used to obtain positive serological results because of their high sensitivity and specificity.

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PCR IN BACTERIAL DISEASES

The PCR is the most sensitive of the existing rapid methods to detect microbial pathogens in clinical specimens.

The principle of the method is simple; when a pure PCR product of the 16S gene is obtained, sequenced, and aligned against bacterial DNA data base, then the bacterium can be identified. Confirmation of identity may follow.

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BLOOD SCREENING AND GENETIC TESTING

• BLOOD SCREENING:

The test which are done on the sample of the blood to measure the amount of certain substances in the blood or to count different type of blood cells. This test is done to find the signs of disease or the agents that may cause a disease, to check for antibodies or the tumor makers or to see how well are the treatment working.

• GENETIC TESTING:

The process of analyzing cells or tissue to look for changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins that may ne sign of some disease or condition, such as cancer. These changes may also be the sign that the person has a risk of developing a specific condition or disease.

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BLOOD SCREENING

• Donor screening is conducted in accordance with federal and state regulations, as well as AABB Standards, to protect the safety of the donor, and to ensure the safety, purity and potency of the blood collection. Blood collectors are fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of the blood donor before, during and after collection, including use of minimum hemoglobin requirements, information on blood donation and iron health and limiting donation frequency. The donor screening process also protects the safety of the transfusion recipient by identifying eligible donors who meet specific criteria to help ensure blood safety.

GNETIC TESTING

• Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in genes, chromosomes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. 
• It is found that 40% of variants included in the raw data of one direct-to-consumer genetic testing company were false positives.

BLOOD SCREENING : PROS AND CONS

MERITS

Screening can detect a problem early, before you have any symptoms. Finding out about a problem early can mean that treatment is more effective. Finding out you have a health problem or an increased chance of a health problem can help people make better informed decisions about their health.

DEMERITS

No screening test is perfect and there will always be some incorrect results. These 'false negative' or 'false positive' results can be harmful, as someone may either be falsely reassured or be unnecessarily worried and perhaps have invasive or harmful tests or treatments which they do not need

GENE TESTING : PROS AND CONS

MERITS

1. A sense of relief from uncertainty.
2. A greater understanding of your health and your cancer risk.
3. Information to help make informed medical and lifestyle decisions.
4. Opportunity to help educate other family members about the potential risk.

DEMERITS

1. Testing may increase your stress and anxiety.
2. Results in some cases may return inconclusive or uncertain.
3. Negative impact on family and personal relationships.
4. You might not be eligible if you do not fit certain criteria required for testing.

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GENE THERAPY AND GENE COUNSELLING

• GENE THERAPY:

The treatment that add a new gene or replaces or repairs a mutated (changed) gene inside the body’s cells to help prevent or treat certain diseases, such as cancer.

• GENE COUSELLING:

This is a process of counselling with the patient about the genetic conditions that may effect them and their family. The genetic counsellors or other healthcare professionals will collect your personal and the family health history.

GENE THERAPY

• Gene therapy is a medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the underlying genetic problem. Gene therapy techniques allow doctors to treat a disorder by altering a person’s genetic makeup instead of using drugs or surgery.
• The earliest method of gene therapy, often called gene transfer or gene addition, was developed to:
• Introduce a new gene into cells to help fight a disease.
• Introduce a non-faulty copy of a gene to stand in for the altered copy causing disease

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REFERENCES

• David P. Clark and Nanette J. Pazdernik – Biotechnology – Applying the Genetic Revolution.
• B.D. Singh, Biotechnology The Expanding Horizons.
• Wikipedia.org
• SlideShare.in
• ReaserchesGate.in
• Conserve-energy-future.com
• Insiders.com
• Pharmacy.temple.edu

THANK YOU