Recombinant DNA

Question 0

Why do we use bacteria in recombinant DNA?

Answer 0

Simple organisms

Reproduce very quickly and asexually

Reasonably easy to get DNA back into bacteria after we change it

You have freedom to experiment more and kill them and there are no ethics involved

Question 1

What does recombinant DNA allow us to do?

Answer 1

Produce new medicines and safer vaccines
Treat genetic diseases
Enhance bio-agent control in agriculture
Increase crop yields
Decrease allergy producing elements of food
Increase foods nutritional value
Biodegradable products/plastics
Decrease pollution in the air/water
Control disease outbreaks

Question 2

Steps of recombinant DNA

Answer 2

1. Isolate gene of interest
2. Gene inserted into a vector and cloned
3. Gene of interest inserted in a plasmid (now called rDNA)
4. Clone the recombinant DNA
5. Once vector is isolated in large quantities it is introduced into the host cells
6. Host cells then synthesise foreign protein from the recombinant DNA