Powerful Proteins

Protein Control Freaks

Diabetes is an example of a condition where the body is not able to produce a certain protein. This protein is called insulin and is usually made in the pancreas and controls the amount of sugars in our blood.

People suffering from diabetes need to watch their diet and inject insulin protein so that it can control their blood sugar levels.

Insulin was originally taken from the pancreas of pigs, but insulin was genetically engineered in 1993 which means that now it can be made in large quantities in a factory.

Genetic engineering of insulin -what does it mean?

The DNA coding for human insulin was isolated from a human. This piece of DNA is then inserted into a small ring of DNA called a plasmid. This allows the DNA to be transported into cells. Cells which have this plasmid inside them will act as a tiny factory making lots of insulin. This insulin can then be purified and given to diabetics.

Genetic engineering of insulin

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What are proteins? - Protein Building Blocks - Joining the Blocks - Polymers - Slimy polymers - Protein Folding - How to destroy a protein - Enzymes 1 - Enzymes 2 - Mobile Proteins - Protein Control Freaks - Proteins for Building - Making Proteins - Mutants - Protein Research

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Powerful Proteins

Protein Control Freaks

Next - Proteins for Building

Previous - Mobile Proteins

Back to the Topics List

What are proteins? - Protein Building Blocks - Joining the Blocks - Polymers - Slimy polymers - Protein Folding - How to destroy a protein - Enzymes 1 - Enzymes 2 - Mobile Proteins - Protein Control Freaks - Proteins for Building - Making Proteins - Mutants - Protein Research