Maxam-Gilbert Sequencing: What Was It, and Why
In the mid-1970s, two methods were developed for directly sequencing DNA: the Maxam-Gilbert sequencing (or chemical sequencing) method and the Sanger chain-termination method. Indeed, in 1980, both Walter Gilbert and Frederick…
Clone Library Screening
The result of any cloning experiment that begins with total DNA from a specific source is a library of clones. Thus cloning mRNA through a cDNA intermediate generates a cDNA library that represents the…
Prokaryotic Expression Vectors
The first vector we will consider is the pUC family of vectors Figure 3.4.1: pUC vector Although it is not typically used for the expression of recombinant proteins, it has all the necessary…
cDNA and Genomic Libraries
Isolation of corresponding genetic information Instead of synthesizing a desired gene, can we used the amino acid information to directly isolate the corresponding genetic information? · There are two general sources…
Types and Functions of Plasmids
Resistance Plasmids Also referred to as antimicrobial resistance plasmids, resistance plasmids are a type of plasmids that carry genes that play an important role in antibiotic resistance. They are also…
What are Plasmids?
Essentially, plasmids are small, circular molecules of DNA that are capable of replicating independently. As such, they do not rely on chromosomal DNA of the organism for replication. Because of…
Restriction Modification System
Phage (or viruses) invade all types of cells. Bacteria are one favorite target. Defense mechanisms have been developed by bacteria to defend themselves from these invasions. The system they possess…
How does genetic engineering work?
To help explain the process of genetic engineering we have taken the example of insulin, a protein? that helps regulate the sugar levels in our blood. · Normally insulin? is produced in the pancreas?, but in…
What is genetic engineering?
· Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process of altering the DNA? in an organism’s genome?. · This may mean changing one base pair? (A-T or C-G), deleting a whole region of DNA, or introducing…
