Topic: Definitions of All Essential Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Recombinant DNA | DNA formed by joining pieces from two different sources using molecular biology techniques |
| Transgenic organism | Organism with a foreign gene stably integrated into its genome |
| Proinsulin | Precursor of insulin containing A chain + C peptide + B chain; C peptide removed during maturation |
| Gene therapy | Introduction of a functional gene into patient cells to correct a genetic defect |
| ADA (adenosine deaminase) | Enzyme required for normal immune function; its deficiency causes SCID |
| SCID | Severe Combined Immunodeficiency — affects both T and B lymphocytes; ADA deficiency is one cause |
| Retroviral vector | Genetically modified retrovirus used to deliver therapeutic genes; integrates into host chromosome |
| PEG-ADA | Polyethylene glycol-modified bovine ADA enzyme; enzyme replacement (NOT gene therapy) |
| PCR | Polymerase Chain Reaction — exponential amplification of target DNA using Taq polymerase and primers |
| ELISA | Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay — detects antigens or antibodies via enzyme-mediated color change |
| Autoradiography | Detection of specific DNA/RNA on membranes using radioactively labeled probes + X-ray film exposure |
| Bt toxin (Cry protein) | Insecticidal crystalline protein from Bacillus thuringiensis; inactive protoxin activated in insect alkaline midgut |
| Protoxin | Inactive precursor of Bt toxin present inside the bacterium as crystalline inclusion bodies |
| RNAi (RNA interference) | Gene silencing mechanism triggered by dsRNA; processes to siRNA via DICER → RISC → mRNA degradation |
| dsRNA | Double-stranded RNA — trigger for RNAi pathway; produced by viruses during replication |
| siRNA | Small interfering RNA (21-23 nt) — product of DICER processing of dsRNA; guide for RISC |
| DICER | RNase III enzyme that cleaves dsRNA into siRNA |
| RISC | RNA-Induced Silencing Complex — effector complex of RNAi; AGO2 cleaves target mRNA |
| AGO2 (Argonaute 2) | Catalytic "slicer" component of RISC; cleaves target mRNA complementary to guide siRNA |
| Meloidogyne incognita | Root-knot nematode; targeted by RNAi in engineered tobacco plants |
| Golden Rice | GM rice engineered to produce beta-carotene in endosperm; addresses vitamin A deficiency |
| Beta-carotene | Provitamin A; converted to vitamin A in the body; gives Golden Rice its yellow color |
| Flavr Savr tomato | First commercially grown GM food (1994); engineered for delayed ripening via PG gene suppression |
| Pharming | Production of human therapeutic proteins in transgenic animals (typically secreted in milk) |
| Rosie | First transgenic cow; produced human alpha-lactalbumin-enriched milk |
| Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) | Protease inhibitor; deficiency causes emphysema; produced by transgenic sheep |
| Alpha-lactalbumin | Human whey protein for infant nutrition; produced by Rosie the transgenic cow |
| GEAC | Genetic Engineering Approval Committee — India's regulatory body for GMO approval |
| Biopiracy | Unauthorized exploitation of biological resources or traditional knowledge without consent or compensation |
| TKDL | Traditional Knowledge Digital Library — India's database of traditional medicinal knowledge as prior art |
| CBD | Convention on Biological Diversity (1992, Rio) — established sovereign rights over biological resources |
| Nagoya Protocol | 2010 ABS framework under CBD — requires PIC and MAT before accessing biological resources |
| PIC | Prior Informed Consent — required from source country before accessing biological resources |
| MAT | Mutually Agreed Terms — benefit-sharing conditions negotiated under Nagoya Protocol |
| Codon optimization | Replacing rare codons in foreign gene with synonymous codons abundant in host organism |
| Inclusion body | Insoluble aggregate of misfolded recombinant protein in over-expressing E. coli |
| Insertional mutagenesis | Random retroviral integration near proto-oncogene → oncogene activation → cancer risk |