Genetics Lecture on Genetic Engineering

Genetics (Lecture)

• Genetic engineering is the direct alteration of an organism's genome (its collection of genes).
• This alteration is done to imbue desired traits in the organism.
• The genome is stored in the DNA, a molecule containing specific genes.

Genetic Engineering

• Genetic engineering involves modifying an organism's DNA to induce specific traits.
• Modifying the genome provides desirable properties to different organisms.

Steps in DNA Cloning

• Isolate DNA of interest: Identify target genes within a DNA sample.
• Cut DNA with restriction endonucleases: Using enzymes to precisely cut the DNA.
• Combine target and vector DNA: Join the target DNA segment with a vector (like a plasmid or a virus). This allows transfer of the gene to a host cell.
• DNA Ligase: An enzyme joining the DNA segments together.

Vectors in DNA Cloning

• Vectors are used to carry the gene into a host cell.
• Plasmids or viruses can serve as vectors.
• A plasmid is a circular DNA segment in bacteria.

Recombinant DNA

• Recombinant DNA is created by combining DNA from different organisms.
• This is crucial for genetic engineering to transfer genes between organisms.

Recombinant Bacteria

• Steps to create recombinant bacteria:
  • Remove the bacterial DNA (plasmid).
  • Cut bacterial DNA using restriction enzymes.
  • Cut the target DNA from another organism using restriction enzymes.
  • Combine the cut DNA pieces using an enzyme and insert into bacteria.
  • Reproduce the recombinant bacteria.
  • The foreign genes will express in the bacteria.