Bioreactors and Obtaining Foreign Gene Products in Biotechnology

What are Foreign Gene Products?

A foreign gene product is a protein or any other molecule produced by the host cell after a foreign gene is introduced by recombinant DNA technology. In this process, a gene from another organism is inserted into the genome of the host using vectors like plasmid. After the insertion, the foreign gene is expressed under appropriate conditions and desired product is obtained. This technique is widely used in medicine, agriculture, and industry to obtain desired products.

What are Bioreactors?

Bioreactor refers to the container used to conduct chemical reactions. It is a tool that assists in the mass production of culture. New biological products are created in the bioreactor with the assistance of various environmental cells, including plant, animal, and human cells. Some basics of bioreactors are discussed below:

• The bioreactor is constructed of stainless steel and has a cylinder-like shape.

• The basic stirred-tank bioreactor and the sparged stirred-tank bioreactor are the two bioreactors most suited for producing foreign gene products.

• There are several different kinds of bioreactors, including continuous stirred tanks, fluidized beds, bubble columns, packed beds, photobioreactors, and airlift reactors.

Types of Bioreactor

Traditional fermenters were made up of wood or slate. In recent years, stainless steel bioreactors are in use. Based on the design of the bioreactors, they can be grouped into the following types:

Steps in Obtaining Foreign Gene Products

The process of obtaining engine products is one of the very critical processes in the microbial biotechnology industry. This process uses the microorganism to produce the valuable proteins and metabolites which are essential for several processes. The steps are discussed below:

• Isolation of the desired genes.

• Location of the possible vector through which the desired gene will be carried out and inserted into the vector using ligase.

• The entire process takes place and there is the formation of recombinant DNA.

• After the introduction of recombinant DNA into the host such as a bacterial cell it resolved into the presence of foreign genes into the cell.

• After some time of adaptation of the recombinant DNA, there is protein and metabolic synthesis that takes place through recombinant cells.

• There is a large scale of cultivation done to obtain the desired product from the reactors

Applications of Obtained Foreign Genes

Some basic uses are discussed below:

• The creation of secondary metabolites such as lovastatin, penicillin, and cyclosporin-A.

• Production of dairy products that undergo fermentation, such as cheese, buttermilk, yoghurt, etc.

• The process through which citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and other organic acids are produced

• production of vital enzymes such as lipase, xylanase, and laccase

• In some cases, the creation of microbial cells rather than their end products takes place in bioreactors. This is seen in the creation of yeast, lactobacillus, single-cell proteins, etc.

• Mammalian cells are also cultured in bioreactors.

• Photobioreactors are used to grow algae and cyanobacteria for biofuels, bioplastics, nutraceuticals, and other products and treat wastewater.

Key Vectors and Enzymes in Recombinant DNA Technology

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding obtained foreign genes/ recombinant genes are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Key Steps in Recombinant DNA Technology

"GIVERC": Gene Isolation, Vector Selection, Insertion, Transformation, Expression, Recovery

• G: Gene Isolation - Extracting the desired gene from the source organism.

• I: Insertion - Using ligase to insert the gene into a suitable vector.

• V: Vector Selection - Choosing an appropriate vector (plasmid, virus) that can replicate within the host.

• E: Expression - Introducing the recombinant DNA into the host cell and allowing the expression of the desired protein.

• R: Recovery - Isolating and purifying the desired protein or product from the host cells.

• C: Confirmation - Verifying that the foreign gene has been successfully integrated and expressed.

Types of Vectors

"PVB: Plasmids, Viruses, BACs"

• P: Plasmids - Circular DNA molecules commonly used in bacteria.

• V: Viruses - Can be engineered to carry foreign DNA and infect host cells.

• B: BACs (Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes) - Useful for cloning large fragments of DNA.

Important Enzymes in Recombinant DNA

"REPL: Restriction enzymes, Ligase, Polymerase"

• R: Restriction Enzymes - Cut DNA at specific sequences to isolate genes.

• E: Ligase - Joins the DNA fragments (insert and vector) together.

• P: Polymerase - Amplifies the DNA during the cloning process.

Applications of Recombinant DNA Technology

"MAPS: Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, Science"

• M: Medicine - Production of insulin, vaccines, and gene therapy.

• A: Agriculture - Development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for higher yield.

• P: Pharmaceuticals - Synthesis of hormones, antibodies, and enzymes.

• S: Science - Research tools for genetic studies and biotechnology.

NEET MCQs on Bioreactors and Foreign Gene Products

Q1. _______is a stainless steel vessel that provides a sterile environment and contains the growth medium for obtaining the foreign gene product.

1. Bioreactor

2. Feeding pump

3. Submerged Aerator

4. Sensor probes

Correct answer: 1) Bioreactor

Explanation:

The bioreactor is made up of various components, including "an agitator system, a foam control system, a baffles system, a pH & temperature control system, a fermenter vessel, an aeration system, and an impeller system. Each of these components is required for the operation of the bioreactor

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Bioreactor is a stainless steel vessel that provides a sterile environment and contains the growth medium for obtaining the foreign gene product.

Q2. Sparged stirred-tank bioreactors have been designed for______.

1. purification of the product

2. addition of preservatives to the product

3. ensuring anaerobic conditions in the culture vessel

4. increased surface area for oxygen transfer

Correct answer: 4) increased surface area for oxygen transfer

Explanation:

The surface area for oxygen transfer in a sparged stirred-tank bioreactor is greater than that of a simple stirred tank. Purification and addition of preservatives are associated with downstream processing. The surface area for oxygen transfer in a sparged stirred-tank bioreactor is greater than that of a simple stirred tank.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) increased surface area for oxygen transfer.

Q3. _________Bioreactors are commonly used for the industrial production of biological products.

1. Stirred-tank bioreactors

2. Sparged stirred-tank bioreactor

3. Piston flow bioreactor

4. Membrane bioreactors

Correct answer: 1) Stirred-tank bioreactors

Explanation:

Stirred tank bioreactors (STBRs) are the most commonly used reactors for cultivating biological agents such as cells, enzymes, or antibodies. They are contractors where the well-mixed among stages is achieved primarily through internal mechanical agitation.

Hence the correct answer is option 1) Stirred-tank bioreactors.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Bioreactors

• Transgenic Animals

• Microbes in Human Welfare

FAQs on Bioreactors in Biotechnology

Define bioreactors.

Bioreactor is a fermentation vessel which is used in the synthesis of numerous chemicals, and biological processes. In order to remove the waste biomass of cultivated microorganisms as well as their products, it is a closed container with suitable conditions for aeration, agitation, pH, and temperature.

What are the main types of bioreactors?

The types of fermentors or bioreactors used in industry are -

1. Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor: In a CSTR, one or more agitators are supported by a central shaft powered by a motor. Gas distribution is improved by the sparger and impellers.

2. Airlift Reactor: It is also known as a tower reactor. It has an airlift system, the fluid volume is divided into two zones to increase oxygen transfer, and circulation.

3. Photobioreactor: It is a specially designed fermentation machine that receives natural or artificial light. It is made up of translucent material which promotes photosynthesis.

What are the basic steps in obtaining foreign gene products?

To obtain a foreign gene product:

1. Insert a piece of foreign or desired DNA into a cloning vector.

2. Transfer it into the host cell.

3. The alien DNA gets multiplied.

4. The cell containing the foreign gene is cultured in appropriate medium at optimal conditions in a bioreactor to induce the expression of the target product.

5. The culture is used to extract the desired product and purify it using separation techniques.
   
   

What are some examples of products obtained from foreign genes?

Products that are obtained from foreign genes are generally produced through recombinant DNA technology. A gene of interest is inserted into the host organism like bacteria, yeast, or plant cells. The gene gets amplified and later is extracted and purified. Examples include, human insulin is produced using recombinant DNA in E.coli for diabetes. Human growth hormone helps to treat disorders related to growth and development.