THERESA KENNEDY BME 181 SECTION 1 APRIL 8, 2013 SYNTHETIC
INSULIN Slide 2 INSULIN Produced in the pancreas. A necessary
hormone that enables bodily cells to allow blood sugar to enter and
be converted into energy. Slide 3 WHAT IS INSULIN? Insulin: A
protein hormone Made up of two chains of amino acids. "A" chain
which has 21 amino acids "B" chain which has 30 amino acids Linked
together by two disulfide bonds. Slide 4 WHY IS INSULIN IMPORTANT?
Diabetes affects 25.8 million people of all ages. ( 7 million of
which are undiagnosed). 8.3 % of the U.S. population Type 1
diabetes Autoimmune disease where the immune system destroys the
beta cells (insulin producing cells of the pancreas) Pancreas
doesn't produce enough insulin Requires daily administration of
insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and it is not
preventable with current knowledge. Type 2 diabetes The body
ineffectively uses insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people
with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess
body weight and physical inactivity. Slide 5 WHAT WAS USED BEFORE
HAND? Pig and cattle pancreas glands were once the only viable
method. This was sufficient for most diabetics however there was
issues: Animals insulin caused some allergic reactions. Not a true
human match to insulin. Not the most efficient way to obtain
insulin. Slide 6 INTRODUCTION OF SYNTHETIC INSULIN Synthetic
insulin was first made in 1978 by scientists at Genetech, Inc. and
City of Hope National Medical Center. Made possible by the
discovery restriction enzymes & DNA ligase. Found naturally in
bacteria. Catalysts to cut and rejoin DNA fragments. Slide 7 HOW
ITS MADE Proteins are made in cells by translating the genetic
information carried in a cell's DNA Slide 8 HOW ITS MADE Scientists
use restriction enzymes and DNA ligase to make and link together
fragments of DNA sequences to form complete genes. These are then
stitched into circular DNA strands called plasmids. The plasmids
are introduced into benign E. coli bacterial strains. Plasmids are
small DNA molecules that are physically separate from and can
replicate independently of, chromosomal DNA within a cell. Slide 9
HOW ITS MADE The bacteria translate the genes into the "A" and "B"
chain proteins found in insulin. At this point the process is the
same as how bacteria make there own proteins. The chains are
harvested to isolate them from the bacteria and then a tetracycline
(an antibiotic) is then added to kill off the bacteria. The two
chains are combined chemically to form the complete insulin
molecule which is identical to that produced by the human body.
Slide 10 BENEFITS Less expensive Absorbed more rapidly by the body
Has a shorter more manageable duration of effectiveness Causes
fewer allergic or autoimmune reactions than the animal insulin
hormone. Slide 11 SIDE EFFECTS Concern and discussions about side
effects have increased in past years. Side effects: extreme
lethargy mental confusion memory loss joint and muscle pains
depression general feeling of being unwell. Slide 12 QUESTIONS?
Slide 13 WORKS CITED "Biology of C-peptide." Cebix. N.p., n.d. Web.
07 Apr. 2013.. "DNA Ligase." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04
May 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2013.. Hirst, Jenny. 30 Years of Synthetic
Insulin, Are People with Diabetes Getting the Best Deal? Rep.
Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust, Oct. 2007. Web. 06 Apr. 2013..
"How Insulin Is Made Using Bacteria :: DNA Learning Center." DNALC
Blogs. Cold Spring Habor Laboratory, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013.. "How
Is Synthetic Insulin Made?" How Is Synthetic Insulin Made? Diabetes
Well Being, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2013..
