genetic engineering

• Genetic engineering is the isolation of genes from one organism and placing these into another via a suitable vector
• • Restriction endonucleases cut DNA at specific places.
  • This can be used to leave exposed “sticky ends.”
• • mRNA isolated and extracted from donor organism
  • Use reverse transcriptase to made a complimentary DNA strand (cDNA)
• Gene markers are sections of DNA placed into plasmids that show that the plasmid has been successfully altered.
• • Electroporation is where electricity is used to make bacterial membranes more porous. The plasmid moves into the cell.
  • Electrofusion is where electricity is used to fuse plasma membranes together. A donor cell containing the gene to be inserted produces a hybridoma when fused with a host cell. When the cell replicates a transgenic organism is produced.
• Genetic engineering is easiest in prokaryotes and other micro organisms, then plants then animals.
• GCSE answer:

  1. Restriction enzyme is used to cut out the desired gene.
  2. Plasmid extracted from bacterium.
  3. Restriction enzyme is used to cut open the plasmid.
  4. Complimentary base pairing allows the gene to be inserted into the plasmid.
  5. Using ligase.
  6. Recombinant plasmid is then reinserted back into bacterium.