Animal Biotechnology
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ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY A Resource Guide for Biotechnology Club Sponsors NSF Award # 0401988 This chapter contains background information, experiment ideas and contact suggestions. Topics covered include: Animals in research Clones Transgenic animals Animal health Animal Biotech Page 1 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/ Animal Biotech Page 2 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. Animal Biotech Page 3 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/ Animal Biotech Page 4 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 Animal Biotech Page 5 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/ Animal Biotech Page 6 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-and- mouth 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/ Animal Biotech Page 7 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: