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Tools Of Recombinant DNA Technology

The enzymes which include the restriction enzymes help to cut, the polymerases- help to synthesize and the ligases- help to bind. The restriction
enzymes used in recombinant DNA technology play a major role in determining the location at which the desired gene is inserted into the vector
genome. They are two types, namely Endonucleases and Exonucleases.

The Endonucleases cut within the DNA strand whereas the Exonucleases remove the nucleotides from the ends of the strands. The restriction
endonucleases are sequence-specific which are usually palindrome sequences and cut the DNA at specific points. They scrutinize the length of
DNA and make the cut at the specific site called the restriction site. This gives rise to sticky ends in the sequence. The desired genes and the
vectors are cut by the same restriction enzymes to obtain the complementary sticky notes, thus making the work of the ligases easy to bind the
desired gene to the vector.

The vectors – help in carrying and integrating the desired gene. These form a very important part of the tools of recombinant DNA technology as
they are the ultimate vehicles that carry forward the desired gene into the host organism. Plasmids and bacteriophages are the most common
vectors in recombinant DNA technology that are used as they have a very high copy number. The vectors are made up of an origin of replication-
This is a sequence of nucleotides from where the replication starts, a selectable marker – constitute genes which show resistance to certain
antibiotics like ampicillin; and cloning sites – the sites recognized by the restriction enzymes where desired DNAs are inserted.

Host organism – into which the recombinant DNA is introduced. The host is the ultimate tool of recombinant DNA technology which takes in the
vector engineered with the desired DNA with the help of the enzymes.

There are a number of ways in which these recombinant DNAs are inserted into the host, namely – microinjection, biolistics or gene gun, alternate
cooling and heating, use of calcium ions, etc.

Also Read: Bioinformatics (https://byjus.com/biology/bioinformatics/)

Process of Recombinant DNA Technology

The complete process of recombinant DNA technology includes multiple steps, maintained in a specific sequence to generate the desired product.

Step-1. Isolation of Genetic Material.

The first and the initial step in Recombinant DNA technology is to isolate the desired DNA in its pure form i.e. free from other macromolecules.

Step-2.Cutting the gene at the recognition sites.

The restriction enzymes play a major role in determining the location at which the desired gene is inserted into the vector genome. These reactions
are called ‘restriction enzyme digestions’.

Step-3. Amplifying the gene copies through Polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

It is a process to amplify a single copy of DNA into thousands to millions of copies once the proper gene of interest has been cut using restriction
enzymes.
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In this step of Ligation, the joining of the two pieces – a cut fragment of DNA and the vector together with the help of the enzyme DNA ligase.
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Step-5. Insertion of Recombinant DNA Into Host.
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In this step, the recombinant DNA is introduced into a recipient host cell. This process is termed as Transformation. Once the recombinant DNA is
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inserted into the host cell, it gets multiplied and is expressed in the form of the manufactured protein under optimal conditions.

As mentioned in Tools of recombinant DNA technology, there are various ways in which this can be achieved. The effectively transformed
cells/organisms carry forward the recombinant gene to the offspring.

Also Read: R-Factor (https://byjus.com/biology/r-factor/)

Application of Recombinant DNA Technology

DNA technology is also used to detect the presence of HIV in a person.

Gene Therapy – It is used as an attempt to correct the gene defects which give rise to heredity diseases.

Clinical diagnosis – ELISA is an example where the application of recombinant

Recombinant DNA technology is widely used in Agriculture to produce genetically-modified organisms such as Flavr Savr tomatoes, golden
rice rich in proteins, and Bt-cotton to protect the plant against ball worms and a lot more.

In the field of medicines, Recombinant DNA technology is used for the production of Insulin.

Also Refer: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) (https://byjus.com/biology/genetically-modified-organisms/)

DNA Cloning
A clone is a cluster of individual entities or cells that are descended from one progenitor. Clones are genetically identical as the cell simply
replicates producing identical daughter cells every time. Scientists are able to generate multiple copies of a single fragment of DNA, a gene which
can be used to create identical copies constituting a DNA clone. DNA cloning (https://byjus.com/biology/dna-cloning/) takes place through the
insertion of DNA fragments into a tiny DNA molecule. This molecule is made to replicate within a living cell, for instance, a bacterium. The tiny
replicating molecule is known as the carrier of the DNA vector.

Yeast cells, viruses, and Plasmids are the most commonly used vectors. Plasmids are circular DNA molecules that are introduced from bacteria.
They are not part of the main cellular genome. It carries genes, which provide the host cell with beneficial properties such as mating ability, and
drug resistance. They can be conveniently manipulated as they are small enough and they are capable of carrying extra DNA which is weaved into
them.

Explore more: Genetic Disorders. (https://byjus.com/biology/genetic-disorders/)

Applications Of Gene Cloning

Listed below are the applications of gene cloning:

Gene Cloning plays an important role in the medicinal field. It is used in the production of hormones, vitamins and antibiotics.

Gene cloning finds its applications in the agricultural field. Nitrogen fixation is carried out by cyanobacteria wherein desired genes can be
used to enhance the productivity of crops and improvement of health. This practice reduces the use of fertilizers hence chemical-free
produce is generated

It can be applied to the science of identifying and detecting a clone containing a particular gene which can be manipulated by growing in a
controlled environment

It is used in gene therapy where a faulty gene is replaced by the insertion of a healthy gene. Medical ailments such as leukaemia and sickle
cell anaemia can be treated with this principle.

Also Refer- Gene Therapy. (https://byjus.com/biology/gene-therapy/)

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about the Recombinant DNA Technology, its tools, procedure and other related topics at BYJU’S Biology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 Explain the roles of the following:

(a) Restriction Enzymes

(b) Plasmids

a) Restriction enzymes are molecular scissors used in molecular biology for cutting DNA sequences at a specific site. It plays an important role
in gene manipulation.

b) Plasmid is an extra-chromosomal DNA molecule in bacteria that is capable of replicating, independent of chromosomal DNA. They serve as
a vehicle to carry a foreign DNA sequence into a given host cell.

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