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Genetic Engineering: Genetically Modifying Organisms for Fun and Profit

Johan Sosa

Johan Sosa introduces foundational genetic engineering techniques, explaining how community biohackers modify bacteria to express fluorescent proteins.

Summary

Introduction to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Genetic engineering involves precisely introducing foreign recombinant DNA into host organisms to express novel enzymes, proteins, or biological functions.

Fundamentals of Gene Expression and Transformation

Johan Sosa explains promoters, ribosomal binding sites, coding sequences, and terminators required for stable protein expression in bacteria.

Hands-On Protocols for Expressing GFP Proteins

Sosa walks through culturing bacteria, introducing Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) plasmids, and verifying fluorescence under ultraviolet illumination.

Applications in Brewing, Materials, and Art

The presentation explores practical community biohacking projects—spanning custom yeast strains for brewing to bio-materials and bio-art.

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