--
Genetic Engineering
Molecular Cloning
# Basic cloning workflow
cloning_workflow = {
'step1': 'Isolate vector and insert DNA',
'step2': 'Digest with restriction enzymes',
'step3': 'Ligate insert into vector',
'step4': 'Transform into host cells',
'step5': 'Screen for recombinants',
'step6': 'Verify with sequencing'
}
# Restriction enzyme types
restriction_enzyme_types = {
'Type_II': {
'description': 'Cleave at specific sequence',
'examples': ['EcoRI', 'BamHI', 'HindIII'],
'recognition': 'Palindromic, 4-8 bp'
},
'Type_III': {
'description': 'Cleave away from site',
'examples': ['EcoPI', 'HinfI']
},
'Type_IV': {
'description': 'Modified DNA',
'examples': ['McrBC']
}
}
# Ligation
def calculate_ligation_efficiency(insert_ng, vector_ng, insert_size, vector_size, molar_ratio=3):
"""
Calculate optimal ligation conditions.
"""
# Moles calculation
vector_moles = vector_ng / (vector_size * 650) # 650 Da per bp
insert_moles = insert_ng / (insert_size * 650) * molar_ratio
return vector_moles, insert_moles
PCR Applications
# PCR types
pcr_types = {
'standard': 'Basic amplification',
'hot_start': 'Reduced non-specific products',
'multiplex': 'Multiple targets',
'quantitative': 'qPCR for quantification',
'digital': 'dPCR for absolute quantification',
'reverse_transcription': 'RT-PCR for RNA'
}
# Primer design rules
primer_design = {
'length': '18-25 nucleotides',
'tm': '55-65°C (within 5°C of each other)',
'gc_content': '40-60%',
'avoid': ['Hairpins', 'Dimers', 'Repeats'],
'gc_clamp': '1-2 bp at 3' end',
'product_size': '100-3000 bp typical'
}
# qPCR analysis
qpcr_analysis = {
'reference_genes': ['GAPDH', 'ACTB', '18S rRNA'],
'normalization': 'ΔCt method',
'comparison': 'ΔΔCt method',
'efficiency': 'E = 10^(-1/slope) - 1'
}
CRISPR-Cas Systems
# CRISPR system types
crispr_types = {
'Cas9': {
'type': 'Class 2, Type II',
'function': 'Double-strand break',
'pam': 'NGG',
'applications': 'Knockout, knockin'
},
'Cas12a': {
'type': 'Class 2, Type V',
'function': 'Staggered cut',
'pam': 'TTTV',
'applications': 'Cleavage, diagnostics'
},
'Cas13': {
'type': 'Class 2, Type VI',
'function': 'RNA cleavage',
'pam': 'PFS',
'applications': 'RNA editing, detection'
},
'prime_editing': {
'type': 'Cas9-nickase + RT',
'function': 'All 12 types of mutation',
'no_double_strand_break': True
}
}
# sgRNA design
def design_sgrna(target_sequence, pam='NGG', gc_range=(0.3, 0.7)):
"""
Design single guide RNA targets.
"""
targets = []
for i in range(len(target_sequence) - 22):
if target_sequence[i+21:i+23] == pam[:2]:
protospacer = target_sequence[i:i+20]
# Check GC content
gc = (protospacer.count('G') + protospacer.count('C')) / 20
if gc_range[0] <= gc <= gc_range[1]:
targets.append({
'position': i,
'protospacer': protospacer,
'pam': target_sequence[i+20:i+23]
})
return targets
Bioprocess Engineering
Fermentation Systems
# Fermentation types
fermentation_types = {
'batch': {
'description': 'Closed system, no addition during run',
'advantages': ['Simple', 'Low contamination risk'],
'disadvantages': ['Low productivity', 'Catabolite repression']
},
'fed_batch': {
'description': 'Feed substrate during run',
'advantages': ['High cell density', 'Controlled feeding'],
'applications': ['Recombinant protein', 'High yield']
},
'continuous': {
'description': 'Continuous inlet/outlet',
'advantages': ['Steady state', 'High productivity'],
'disadvantages': ['Stability issues', 'Contamination risk']
},
'perfusion': {
'description': 'Cell retention, product removal',
'advantages': ['High cell density', 'Continuous harvest'],
'applications': ['Cell therapy', 'Biopharmaceuticals']
}
}
# Growth kinetics
class MicrobialKinetics:
@staticmethod
def monod_equation(mu, mu_max, ks, s):
"""
Monod growth model.
mu: Specific growth rate
mu_max: Maximum growth rate
ks: Half-saturation constant
s: Substrate concentration
"""
return mu_max * s / (ks + s)
@staticmethod
def yield_coefficient(s0, sf, x0, xf):
"""
Calculate biomass yield.
"""
Yx_s = (xf - x0) / (s0 - sf)
return Yx_s
@staticmethod
def product_formation(x, yp_x, s):
"""
Product formation kinetics.
"""
# Luedeking-Piret model
alpha = 0.1 # Growth-associated
beta = 0.01 # Non-growth-associated
return alpha * x + beta * x
Bioreactor Design
# Bioreactor types
bioreactor_types = {
'stirred_tank': {
'agitation': 'Impeller',
'scale_up': 'Power/volume constant',
'applications': 'Most common'
},
'airlift': {
'description': 'Internal/external circulation',
'applications': 'Shear-sensitive cultures'
},
'wave_bioreactor': {
'description': 'Wave-induced mixing',
'applications': 'Cell therapy, vaccines'
},
'hollow_fiber': {
'description': 'Semi-permeable membranes',
'applications': 'High-value products'
}
}
# Scale-up criteria
scaleup_criteria = {
'power_per_volume': 'Constant P/V',
'tip_speed': 'Constant impeller tip speed',
'oxygen_transfer': 'Constant kLa',
'mixing_time': 'Constant mixing time',
'shear': 'Constant average shear rate'
}
Recombinant Protein Production
Expression Systems
# Expression system comparison
expression_systems = {
'E_coli': {
'pros': ['Fast', 'Cheap', 'Well-characterized'],
'cons': ['No post-translation', 'Inclusion bodies possible'],
'best_for': 'Simple proteins, enzymes'
},
'S_cerevisiae': {
'pros': ['Eukaryotic', 'Secretion possible'],
'cons': ['Lower yield', 'Hyperglycosylation'],
'best_for': 'Secreted proteins'
},
'Pichia_pastoris': {
'pros': ['High yield', 'Secretion', 'Glycosylation'],
'cons': ['Methanol requirement'],
'best_for': 'Secreted proteins, scale-up'
},
'Insect_cells': {
'pros': ['Complex proteins', 'Post-translation'],
'cons': ['Lower yield', 'More expensive'],
'best_for': 'Complex eukaryotic proteins'
},
'Mammalian_cells': {
'pros': 'Human-like glycosylation',
'cons': ['Slow', 'Expensive'],
'best_for': 'Therapeutic antibodies'
}
}
# Optimization strategies
protein_optimization = {
'codon_optimization': 'Match host tRNA usage',
'promoter_choice': 'Inducible vs constitutive',
'signal_peptide': 'Secretion signal',
'fusion_tags': 'His, GST, MBP, SUMO',
'folding': ' chaperone co-expression',
'solubility': 'Solubility enhancers'
}
Protein Purification
# Purification strategies
purification_methods = {
'affinity': {
'tags': ['His-tag (Ni-NTA)', 'GST', 'MBP', 'Strep'],
'principle': 'Specific binding',
'advantage': 'High purity in one step'
},
'ion_exchange': {
'anion': 'Bind at pH > pI',
'cation': 'Bind at pH < pI',
'principle': 'Charge interaction'
},
'hydrophobic_interaction': {
'principle': 'Hydrophobic patches',
'high_salt': 'Promotes binding'
},
'size_exclusion': {
'principle': 'Molecular size',
'desalting': 'Buffer exchange'
}
}
# Chromatography parameters
chromatography_params = {
'binding_capacity': 'mg protein/mL resin',
'flow_rate': 'cm/hr or mL/min',
'resolution': 'Separation of peaks',
'yield': 'Recovery percentage',
'purity': 'Target purity level'
}
Industrial Enzymes
Enzyme Classes
# Industrial enzyme types
industrial_enzymes = {
'hydrolases': {
'examples': ['Amylase', 'Protease', 'Lipase', 'Cellulase'],
'applications': ['Starch processing', 'Detergents', 'Baking']
},
'oxidoreductases': {
'examples': ['Glucose oxidase', 'Laccase', 'Peroxidase'],
'applications': ['Food industry', 'Textile', 'Biosensors']
},
'transferases': {
'examples': ['Transglutaminase', 'Glycosyltransferase'],
'applications': ['Crosslinking', 'Glycosylation']
},
'lyases': {
'examples': ['Pectin lyase', 'Alginate lyase'],
'applications': ['Fruit processing', 'Algae processing']
},
'isomerases': {
'examples': ['Glucose isomerase', 'Racemase'],
'applications': 'HFCS production'
}
}
# Enzyme kinetics
class EnzymeKinetics:
@staticmethod
def michaelis_menten(v, vmax, km, s):
"""
Michaelis-Menten equation.
v = (Vmax * [S]) / (Km + [S])
"""
return vmax * s / (km + s)
@staticmethod
def lineweaver_burk(v, vmax, km, s):
"""
Double reciprocal plot.
1/v = (Km/Vmax)(1/[S]) + 1/Vmax
"""
return 1/v if v != 0 else float('inf')
@staticmethod
def inhibition_types(km_app, vmax_app, i_type):
"""
Enzyme inhibition.
"""
if i_type == 'competitive':
return {'km_increased': True, 'vmax_same': True}
elif i_type == 'noncompetitive':
return {'km_same': True, 'vmax_decreased': True}
elif i_type == 'uncompetitive':
return {'km_decreased': True, 'vmax_decreased': True}
Enzyme Engineering
# Directed evolution
directed_evolution = {
'error_prone_pcr': 'Introduce random mutations',
'dna_shuffling': 'Recombine related sequences',
'saturation_mutagenesis': 'Target specific positions',
'computational_design': 'AI/ML-guided design'
}
# Rational design
rational_design = {
'structure_based': 'Use 3D structure',
'sequence_based': 'Conserved regions',
'machine_learning': 'Predict function'
}
Biosensors
Biosensor Components
# Biosensor structure
biosensor_components = {
'biorecognition_element': {
'types': [
'Enzyme',
'Antibody',
'Nucleic acid',
'Cell receptor',
'Whole cell',
'Tissue'
]
},
'transducer': {
'electrochemical': ['Amperometric', 'Potentiometric', 'Conductometric'],
'optical': ['Fluorescence', 'SPR', 'Colorimetric'],
'mass_sensitive': ['QCM', 'SAW', 'Piezoelectric'],
'thermal': ['Calorimetric']
},
'detector': 'Signal processing and display'
}
# Common biosensors
common_biosensors = {
'glucose_monitor': {
'element': 'Glucose oxidase',
'transducer': 'Electrochemical',
'market': 'Largest biosensor market'
},
'pregnancy_test': {
'element': 'Anti-hCG antibody',
'transducer': 'Colorimetric (Lateral flow)'
},
'PCR_detector': {
'element': 'DNA probe',
'transducer': 'Fluorescent'
}
}
Diagnostic Applications
# Point-of-care diagnostics
poc_diagnostics = {
'lateral_flow': {
'examples': 'Pregnancy, COVID-19, HIV',
'advantages': 'Simple, fast, no equipment'
},
'electrochemical': {
'examples': 'Glucose, lactate',
'advantages': 'Sensitive, miniaturizable'
},
'surface_plasmon_resonance': {
'examples': 'SPR biosensors',
'advantages': 'Label-free, real-time'
}
}
Biopharmaceuticals
Therapeutic Proteins
# Biopharmaceutical types
biopharmaceuticals = {
'antibodies': {
'types': ['Full mAb', 'Fragment', 'Bispecific', 'ADC'],
'examples': ['Humira', 'Remicade', 'Keytruda'],
'expression': 'CHO cells'
},
'hormones': {
'examples': ['Insulin', 'Growth hormone', 'EPO'],
'expression': 'E. coli, CHO'
},
'enzymes': {
'examples': ['tPA', 'Streptokinase', 'Asparaginase'],
'applications': 'Thrombolysis, cancer'
},
'vaccines': {
'subunit': 'Hepatitis B, VLP',
'mRNA': 'COVID-19',
'viral_vector': 'Ebola, COVID-19'
}
}
# Manufacturing process
biopharma_process = {
'upstream': ['Cell bank', 'Bioreactor', 'Harvest'],
'downstream': [
'Clarification',
'Capture chromatography',
'Viral inactivation',
'Polishing',
'Viral filtration',
'Formulation'
],
'fill_finish': ['Bulk fill', 'Filtration', 'Lyophilization', 'Packaging']
}
Regulatory Considerations
# FDA/EMA requirements
regulatory_requirements = {
'IND': 'Investigational New Drug (FDA)',
'BLA': 'Biologics License Application',
'CMC': 'Chemistry, Manufacturing, Controls',
'GMP': 'Good Manufacturing Practice',
'validation': ['Process', 'Analytical', 'Cleaning']
}
# Biosimilarity
biosimilar_requirements = {
'comparability': 'Structure and function',
'nonclinical': 'Animal studies',
'clinical': 'PK/PD, efficacy, safety',
'immunogenicity': 'Antibody formation'
}
Applications and Industry
Market Applications
# Biotechnology applications
biotech_applications = {
'healthcare': [
'Therapeutic proteins',
'Gene therapy',
'Cell therapy',
'Vaccines',
'Diagnostics'
],
'agriculture': [
'GM crops',
'Biofertilizers',
'Biostimulants',
'Animal health'
],
'industrial': [
'Enzymes',
'Biofuels',
'Biopolymers',
'Bioremediation'
],
'food': [
'Fermented foods',
'Food additives',
'Nutraceuticals',
'Preservatives'
]
}
Sustainable Biotechnology
# Bioeconomy
bioeconomy = {
'biofuels': {
'ethanol': 'Corn, sugarcane, cellulose',
'biodiesel': 'Vegetable oils, algae',
'biogas': 'Anaerobic digestion'
},
'bioplastics': {
'PLA': 'Corn starch',
'PHA': 'Bacterial fermentation'
},
'biorefinery': 'Complete utilization of biomass'
}
Common Errors to Avoid
- Ignoring biosafety: Follow biosafety level requirements
- Not validating processes: Process validation is critical
- Assuming scalability: Lab to production is challenging
- Ignoring host cell proteins: HCP removal important
- Neglecting viral safety: Viral clearance required
- Not understanding glycosylation: Affects function
- Ignoring stability: Formulation development essential
- Underestimating purification: Often bottleneck
- Not considering regulatory: FDA/EMA requirements
- Forgetting raw materials: Quality affects product