Question

Give a brief account of the tools of recombinant DNA technology.

Answer 1

Recombinant DNA technology:

1. It is the technique used to manipulate and isolate the DNA segment of interest and then insert them into the genome of a host organism to produce products useful for human use.
2. Thus, transgenic organisms are produced.

Tools of rDNA technology:

• Restriction enzymes:

1. Restriction endonucleases are the enzymes that are used for fragmenting the DNA from desired positions.
2. Each restriction endonucleases recognizes a unique palindromic nucleotide sequence in the DNA.
3. These enzymes cut the desired part of DNA away from the centre of palindrome sites but between the same two bases on opposite sides of the complementary strands.
4. The vector and source DNA when cut with some specific enzyme can produce the rDNA.

• Cloning vectors:

1. They have the ability to replicate independently from the chromosomal DNA within a bacterial cell.
2. Plasmids and bacteriophages are a few examples of cloning vectors.
3. Cloning vectors are genomes that are used for the insertion of an isolated desired gene into the host organism and replicate the desired gene in more quantity.

• Competent host:

1. The recombinant vectors are introduced into host cells which are made ‘competent’ to take up the desired DNA.
2. Gene gun, micro-injection and alternative ice and heat shock are a few methods through which the host cells are made competent.