Recombinant DNA Technology in Cancer Biology
Professional Training
Recombinant DNA technology in Cancer Biology
Course Description:
Recombinant DNA technology has also proven important to the production of vaccines and
protein therapies such as human insulin, interferon and human growth hormone. It is also used
to produce clotting factors for treating hemophilia and in the development of gene therapy.
These recombinant products are used with the main objectives of killing the tumor and
stimulating immune cells to respond to the cancer cells. The principal recombinant products
in anticancer therapy are immunostimulants, vaccines, antibodies, immunotoxins and fusion
proteins. This course will give you a complete understanding of RDT products, its role and
function in recognizing, treating and fighting multiple types of cancers
Key Points:
• Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology (RDT)
• Cloning and expression vectors
• Enzymes in Genetic engineering
• Cloning and associated techniques for cancer therapy
• Applications of RDT in Cancer treatment and future of RDT in Cancer biology
Course Objectives:
To acquaint students with basic knowledge of vectors, cloning principles, PCR, cDNA and analytical techniques with their applications in Cancer biology.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this course student should be able to: Understand Recombinant DNA technology and its scope inCancer, Acquire knowledge about application of RDT in biological systems and in cancer biology and future aspects of Cancer treatment and role of RDT in curing cancer. This course will give understanding of:
Primer designing for gene amplification
Application of RDT in cancer cell biology
RDT product formation
Role of recombinant products in treating multiple myeloma
Course Description
Week 1-2
Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology (RDT): Overview of RDT Techniques; Scope of RDT; Genetic engineering guidelines; Pharmaceutical products of RDT; Genetically engineered organisms; Future of genetic engineering; Social and ethical consideration.
Week 3-5
Cloning and Expression Vectors: Plasmids; Bacteriophages as a vector: λ-phage, M13-phage; Cosmids; Phagemids; Artificial chromosomes: Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC), Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC), P1-derived Artificial Chromosomes (PACs) and Mammalian Artificial Chromosome (MAC); pET vector series.
Week 6-8
Enzymes in Genetic Engineering: Nucleases: DNAase, RNAase; Restriction Enzymes: Types, Mode of Action, Nomenclature; DNA Ligase; Kinase; Alkaline Phosphatase; Reverse Transcriptase; Terminal DeoxynucleotideTransferase; RNAase P; Klenow Fragment.
Week 9-16
Cloning and associated techniques for cancer therapy: Cloning techniques; Expression studies; cDNA library construction; Transformation: Transfection methods, Direct gene transformations, Direct gene uptake by protoplasts, Co-cultivation techniques, microprojectile gun method, Liposome mediated DNA library, Micro and Macro-injection, Electroporation, Transformation using pollen or pollen tube, Transformation by ultrasonication; Increased competence of E. coli by CaCl2 treatment, Infection by recombinant DNAs packaged as virions; Screening of clones; HGP (Human genome project); Protein engineering; Blotting techniques: Southern, Northern and Western; S1 mapping; primer extension; RNA ase protection assay and RNA quantification; Reporter gene assays: Bacterial β-galactosidase, GFP.
Week 17-20
Applications of RDT in Cancer treatment and future of RDT in Cancer biology: Cancer cell
genomics; Gene expression in cancer cells, RDT in cell recognition, Future challenges and
ethical concerns to be addressed.
Who Should attend?
After school students
Students interest in becoming lab technicians
Undergraduate students for skills enhancement
Lab technicians to understand RDT from basics to advanced level and its role in cancer biology.