Corn (Zea mays) is by far the most widely used biopharming plant, followed by soybeans, tobacco and rice. Around the world approximately 400 biopharming products are in open-air field trials.

State one possible application of biopharming.

Explain the use of a viral vector in gene therapy.

Outline the main principles of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) test.

production of pharmaceuticals
OR
proteins used in therapy
OR
antibodies
OR
vaccines ✔

a. gene therapy involves introducing a normal copy of a defective gene into an organism ✔

b. virus/viral vector «genetically» modified for «safe» use ✔

c. insertion of desired gene/allele into viral genome/retrovirus ✔

d. an example is the use in SCID/lack of enzyme ADA in SCID ✔

e. removal of somatic cells ✔

f. introduction and insertion of the desired gene into the target cell
OR
modified virus can be introduced in the form of «inhaled» droplets
OR
the cells are introduced in the patient so that the desired gene can be expressed ✔

a. «ELISA» uses antibodies to detect a target antigen «to a pathogen» ✔ OWTTE

b. antigen attached to substrate ✔

c. the antibody «if present» will attach to the antigen ✔

d. «suitable» enzyme attached to antibody ✔

e. «enzyme» colour reaction shows the presence of antibodies to the antigen/pathogen ✔