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Super Natural powers of Ocean Animals.......awesome..

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest. The introduction of new DNA does not require the use of classical genetic methods, however traditional breedingmethods are typically used for the propagation of recombinant organisms.


                         The most common form of genetic engineering involves the insertion of new genetic material at an unspecified location in the host genome. This is done by isolating and copying the genetic material of interest using molecular cloning methods to generate a DNA sequence containing the required genetic elements for expression, and then inserting this construct into the host organism. Other forms of genetic engineering include gene targeting and knocking out specific genes via engineered nucleases such aszinc finger nucleases or engineered homing endonucleases.The first field trials of genetically engineered plants occurred in France and the USA in 1986, tobacco plants were engineered to be resistant to herbicides

Procedure :

Isolating gene-

First, the gene to be inserted into the genetically modified organism must be chosen and isolated.Once chosen the genes must be isolated. This typically involves multiplying the gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If the chosen gene or the donor organism's genome has been well studied it may be present in a genetic library.  Once isolated, the gene is inserted into a bacterial plasmid.

Construct:

The gene to be inserted into the genetically modified organism must be combined with other genetic elements in order for it to work properly. The gene can also be modified at this stage for better expression or effectiveness. As well as the gene to be inserted most constructs contain a promoter and terminator region as well as a selectable marker gene. The constructs are made using recombinant DNA techniques, such molecular cloning.

Targeting Gene:

The most common form of genetic engineering involves inserting new genetic material randomly within the host genome. Other techniques allow new genetic material to be inserted at a specific location in the host genome or generate mutations at desired genomic loci capable of knocking out endogenous genes. The technique of gene targeting uses homologous recombination to target desired changes to a specific endogenous gene.

Transformation:

The genes to be inserted are cloned into a binary vector, which contains T-DNA and can be grown in both E. Coli and Agrobacterium. Once the binary vector is constructed the plasmid is transformed into Agrobacterium containing no plasmids and plant cells are infected. The Agrobacterium will then naturally insert the genetic material into the plant cells.About 1% of bacteria are naturally able to take up foreign DNA but it can also be induced in other bacteria. Stressing the bacteria for example, with a heat shock or an electric shock, can make the cell membrane permeable to DNA that may then incorporate into their genome or exist as extrachromosomal DNA. 

Selection:

Not all the organism's cells will be transformed with the new genetic material; in most cases a selectable marker is used to differentiate transformed from untransformed cells. If a cell has been successfully transformed with the DNA it will also contain the marker gene. 

Regeneration:

As often only a single cell is transformed with genetic material the organism must be regrown from that single cell. As bacteria consist of a single cell and reproduce clonally regeneration is not necessary. In plants this is accomplished through the use of tissue culture. Each plant species has different requirements for successful regeneration through tissue culture. If successful an adult plant is produced that contains the transgene in every cell. In animals it is necessary to ensure that the inserted DNA is present in the embryonic stem cells.

Confirmation:

The finding that a recombinant organism contains the inserted genes is not usually sufficient to ensure that the genes will be expressed in an appropriate manner in the intended tissues of the recombinant organism. To examine the presence of the gene, further analysis frequently uses PCR, Southern hybridization, and DNA sequencing, which serve to determine the chromosomal location and copy number of the inserted gene.


APPLICATIONS:

• Medicine
• Agriculture
• Research
• Industrial

Photographing Your Pet

Every owner wants to keep the playfulness and the beauty of his pet with him forever. We go to all ends to preserve the first thing it destroyed. Even wear the socks from which it ate a hole out. And of course photographing it. If you have a cute pet (and I am sure she is the most beautiful pet in the world) and a camera, then you know you have hard times ahead. Pets are difficult photographing subjects, even more than the kids to get that prefect photograph

What I recommend is to have a pet comfortable before you start clicking. The mistake I made was that I never got to the eye level of the pet before capturing a shot. This is very important as you will never get a good looking down on a pet.

Making eye contact with pets is important. Call out to them when you are ready to take the shot. With pets, expression is almost entirely in the eyes, the window to their soul.

Speed is most important. Few camera shy-pets will come to know that you are up to some thing and never give a nice pose. Others will come darting towards the camera darting towards the camera thinking it as another treat to eat.

One thing that most owners do is picture a pet in sleep or in a sit and stay command. This is very easy, but the pictures you will relish are the action shots. Getting a photo of your pet while playing, fetch, jumping to lick a family member, getting a tummy rub, inquiring what’s on the dining table or just keeping his head on the bed and asking you to play with him for a change.

Most pets give the perfect pose just before you click the camera. I have digital camera and I know I have to click dozen of picture before I get the one I really like. If you have a simple camera you may lose many film rolls before you get the photo you want to keep.

Is Your Dog Aggressive

In appropriate aggression in dogs is the most serious behaviour problem that pet owners must deal with. Aggression while infrequently a result of a medical problem, is usually caused by human mismanagement. It is largely preventable if the owner understandscanine growth periods and the factors that influence the development of aggressive behaviour.

To understand why dogs become aggressive we have to know that aggression is imprinted in the genes that they inherited from wolves.To chase and kill was their survival plan when dogs were part of a pack. Tomaintain their position in the pack, defend their territory and to date their mate they had to be aggressive.Once adopted by humans, they were bred specifically to either increase or decrease aggression, as desired by their new new master.The dog thinks of his new familyas his packand tries to build his rank. That’s where the owners come in. withoutthem helping him out the dog simply acts as he would act in the wild in order to survive, leading to inappropriate aggression.

A dogmay exibhit more than one type of aggression. These may be defensiveor induced by fear, pain, or punishment; dominance; possessiveness; territorial; intrasexual (male to male) or (female to female); predatory; or paternal. If one thinks that his\her dog is aggressive check the following symptoms:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Excessive barking

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Over protective about food and possessions

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Fearfulness in new situation or around strangers

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Severe attacks on other animals, such as cats or livestock

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Attempts to mount people legs

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Snapping and snarling when petted, groomed, or lifted

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Frequent attempts to chase moving objects such as bicycle, cars etc

<!--[if !supportLists]-->·      <!--[endif]-->Repeated escapes from home and long periods spent roaming free

None of these symptoms should be ignored. Each of the above can predict serious aggressive behaviour. To understand aggression in dogs, one can more easily recogonise the early warning signs and avoid a serious if not life- threatening situation. In no case should  an  aggressive pet be abandoned as the pet can be dangerous for an unsuspecting owner

Winter Care For Pets

The onset of winter poses special risks to your pets. A pet’s need for food, shelter and love increases during the cold winter months. When the temperature drops, bring your pets indoor with the rest of your family. Even if your mom won’t allow your pet to come in, there are things you can do to prevent the pet’s suffering in the winter.

While pets like Germen Shepherds and some long haired dogs are prepared for the cold weather, many pets are not. We develop a false sense of security about our pets’ ability to keep and stay warm because of their fur.Yet; pets can suffer from hypothermia just like people do.

If you are not allowed to keep your pet indoors, make a strong, dry and draught-free doghouse with a flap over the entrance. Be sure the doghouse is large enough so the dog can sit or stand to hold in his body heat. The floor should be at least 2 inches above the ground and covered inside with straw, which will dry faster than a towel or blanket if wet.

Staying warm requires extra calories. Increase your pet’s feed accordingly. This does not mean feeding all Diwali or New Year sweets to your dog, but a planned increase in caloric diet. Talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s needs. Pet’s can get dehydrated in winter too. So be sure your pet has plenty of fresh water. If your pet is not interested in plain water, add a little flavour such as milk in it.

Indoor pets should also be provided with a warm and dry area free from draughts. Provide a bedding on the floors, and wash the bedding every week, if possible. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep it properly insulated. Regular brushing on daily or weekly basis will help remove dead hair and stimulate the skin to improve hair growth.

Avoid bathing the pet in winter. If you have to bathe your pet, do so on a sunny day and dry it with a towel before letting it loose.

Shorthaired pets may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater vest during the winter months, especially when taken out for a walk. When using a sweater, be careful about skin diseases which tend to remain hidden under the clothing.