|
|
|
Educational Research and Reviews Vol. 1 (1), pp.
12-15, April 2006
© 2006 Academic Journals
Short Essay
Synthesis of human haemoglobin by plants
ONYESOM,
I.
Department of
Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. E-mail:
onyesominno@yahoo.co.uk. Tel:
+234 803 052 801 6.
Accepted 10
February, 2006 |
|
|
|
Haemoglobin, Hb is the red, protein pigment in blood that transports
oxygen round the body. Decreased quantity could lead to anaemia, and when
the anaemic condition turns severe, blood transfusion becomes inevitable.
However, the safety of human source has become questionable in recent
times, and this has aroused the interest of scientists to search for
alternative source(s). Interestingly, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a soil
bone, gram-negative bacterium has been discovered to integrate a segment
of its Ti plasmid into plant chromosome through wounds. Workers thus,
exploited this natural genetic engineering process to transfer Hb gene
into plants. Evidence suggests that initial trials recorded some measure
of success. Although, the nascent technology is still being refined, when
fully developed it would reduce the fear and risk associated with the
human source of blood for transfusion.
Key words:
Haemoglobin, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ti-plasmid, anaemia. |
|
.gif){kind=small}
