How is insulin produced through genetic engineering?

Insulin is produced through genetic engineering by inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria or yeast, which then produce insulin.

Genetic engineering, also known as recombinant DNA technology, is a process that involves manipulating an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits. In the case of insulin production, the human insulin gene is inserted into a suitable vector, typically a plasmid, which is a small, circular piece of DNA found in bacteria. This modified plasmid is then introduced into a host organism, such as E. coli bacteria or yeast.

The process begins with the isolation of the human insulin gene. This gene is responsible for the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Once the insulin gene is isolated, it is inserted into a plasmid using enzymes that cut the DNA at specific sites, creating sticky ends. These sticky ends allow the insulin gene to be inserted into the plasmid DNA, forming a recombinant DNA molecule.

This recombinant plasmid is then introduced into the host organism. This is often done using a process called transformation, where the bacteria are made more permeable to DNA, allowing the plasmid to enter. Once inside the bacteria, the plasmid replicates, producing many copies of the insulin gene.

The bacteria are then allowed to grow and multiply in a controlled environment. As they grow, they produce the insulin protein as part of their normal metabolic processes. The insulin is then extracted, purified and packaged for use in treating diabetes.

This method of producing insulin has several advantages. It is more efficient and cost-effective than previous methods, which involved extracting insulin from the pancreases of slaughtered animals. It also produces a form of insulin that is identical to human insulin, reducing the risk of allergic reactions and other side effects. Furthermore, it allows for the production of large quantities of insulin, meeting the needs of the growing number of people with diabetes worldwide.