Genetic Engineering
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Genetic engineering involves manipulating and recombining of genes to change phenotype. Scientists can create recombinant DNA composed of segments of DNA from two or more different sources combined in a test tube. They use enzymes to cut circular bacterial DNA molecules called plasmids into restriction fragments and ligate the pieces together at their single-stranded sticky end. The enzyme will cut the plasmid apart at its restriction site, where any new combination of DNA fragments or proteins can bind with the cut plasmid and create a new, recombinant plasmid. Some of the combinations will be different from the original two or more types of plasmids.
Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR, is a method of amplifying a particular target DNA segment by allowing it to replicate in a test tube.
Studying DNA
Gel electrophoresis is a technique for separating nucleic acids or proteins by size or electrical charge. It consists of a positive pole and a negative pole with a polymer gel that acts as a sieve.
Southern blotting is a combination of gel electrophoresis and nucleic acid hybridization and isolates bands that include the β-globin gene.
Using DNA
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can reproduce and can develop into different types of specialized cells. Scientists can manipulate conditions to encourage a stem cell to specialize into a certain type of cell they need. Stem cells are still being researched and are a topic of ethical controversy.
Polymerase Chain Reaction, or PCR, is a method of amplifying a particular target DNA segment by allowing it to replicate in a test tube.
Studying DNA
Gel electrophoresis is a technique for separating nucleic acids or proteins by size or electrical charge. It consists of a positive pole and a negative pole with a polymer gel that acts as a sieve.
Southern blotting is a combination of gel electrophoresis and nucleic acid hybridization and isolates bands that include the β-globin gene.
Using DNA
Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can reproduce and can develop into different types of specialized cells. Scientists can manipulate conditions to encourage a stem cell to specialize into a certain type of cell they need. Stem cells are still being researched and are a topic of ethical controversy.