630 Microbiology for Teachers

Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Genetic Engineering uses Recombinant DNA Technology 

Molecular Cloning

• Isolating and fragmenting DNA

• Introducing DNA fragments into a cloning vector
  • Vectors

• plasmids

• bacteriophages

• cosmids

• Methodology
  • cut vector DNA

• anneal DNA fragment and vector

• use ligase to join them

• Transferring the recombinant DNA molecule into a host organism

• transformation

• electroporation

• Detecting and purifying the clone
  • Protein

• DNA

• Expanding the clone

Other Methods or Tools Used in Genetic Engineering

• Southern blotting

• Sequencing

• PCR - polymerase chain reaction

• Site-directed mutagenesis

Practical Applications

• Agricultural
  • animals

• plants

• Industrial

• Environmental biotechnology

• Medical

Social impact

• Safety

• Ethical considerations