rDNA Technology
The method of synthesizing artificial DNA by fusing DNA from multiple sources with various genetic components is known as recombinant DNA technology.
Recombinant DNA technologies are referred to as genetic engineering.
Recombinant DNA technology was created as a result of the discovery of restriction enzymes by Swiss scientist Werner Arber in 1968.
Splicing the target gene into the host’s DNA is more difficult than it seems. It involves selecting the best vector to incorporate the desired gene into and producing recombinant DNA after selecting the right gene to be injected into the host.
Therefore, the recombinant DNA must be administered to the host. It must then be maintained in the host and passed on to the offspring. Procedure using recombinant DNA technology. In order to generate the intended result, recombinant DNA technology uses a number of processes that are kept in a specific order.
First step, Isolate the genetic material
The first and most crucial step in the recombinant DNA technology procedure is to isolate the desired DNA in its pure state, which is uncontaminated by extraneous macromolecules.
Second step, Slashing the gene at the points of recognition
The choice of where to insert the desired gene into the vector genome depends on the restriction enzymes. These procedures go under the term of restriction enzyme digestion.
Third step, Increasing the gene copies using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
A single copy of DNA is multiplied into hundreds to millions of copies after the desired gene has been cut using restriction enzymes.
Fourth step, DNA molecule ligation
In this stage of ligation, a cut segment of DNA and the vector are joined together using the DNA ligase enzyme.
Fifth step, Inserting Recombinant DNA Into the Host
In this stage, the recombinant DNA is introduced into a recipient host cell. This process is known as transformation. Under ideal circumstances, after being incorporated into the host cell, recombinant DNA replicates and is expressed as the produced protein. This can be done in a variety of methods, as previously mentioned in Tools of recombinant DNA technology. The effectively transformed cells or organisms transfer the recombinant gene to the progeny.
Application of recombinant DNA technology
- DNA technology can also be used to detect HIV in an individual.
- Hereditary illnesses are caused by genetic defects, which can be fixed by gene therapy.
- Recombinant technology is used in clinical diagnosis; ELISA is one example.
- Recombinant DNA technology is frequently used in agriculture to develop genetically modified species like Flavr Savr tomatoes, protein-rich golden rice, Bt-cotton to protect the plant against ball worms, and many others.
- The pharmaceutical sector uses recombinant DNA technology to create insulin.
