BIOTECHNOLOGY - Inshyna N.M. - 2009

CHAPTER 1. GENETIC ENGINEERING

Introduction/32.html">Genetic Engineering is a set of techniques, Methods, and technologies used to create recombinant DNA, isolate genes from Cells, manipulate genes, and introduce them into other organisms.

Genetic engineering serves as a tool of biotechnology. Its defining feature is The ability to construct DNA structures that have never existed in nature. Genetic engineering has opened up Prospects for creating microorganisms, plants, and animals with novel beneficial traits. One of the key areas of genetic engineering is The Development of a new generation of medicines based on biologically active human Proteins.

Genetic engineering draws upon the achievements of such sciences as molecular biology, Cell biology, genetics, and microbiology.

The birth of genetic engineering is considered to be 1973, when H. Boyer and S. Cohen created the first recombinant DNA containing DNA fragments from phage λ, E. coli, and the simian virus SV40.

The Milestones in the development of genetic engineering are associated with the following achievements:

- the creation of recombinant DNA molecules in vitro (obtaining plasmid hybrids from different bacterial strains);

- The production of recombinant DNA molecules between prokaryotic chromosomal genes and various Plasmids;

- the introduction of animal genes into vector DNA molecules.

The primary objective of genetic engineering is the in vitro construction of functionally active genetic structures, namely recombinant DNA.

Recombinant DNA experiments have provided the bulk of information regarding Gene Structure.

Recombinant DNA technology encompasses the following methods:

- isolation of Nucleic Acids;

- Isolation of Genes;

- Chemical synthesis of genes;

- construction of vectors;

- assembly of recombinant DNA;

- introduction of recombinant DNA into cells or organisms (transformation);

- identification of cells carrying recombinant DNA;

- DNA Cloning;

— DNA Amplification;

- sequencing.