Cloning, as we all know, is basically making a copy of something. Under the guise of molecular cloning, this means that DNA from a specific cell is being reproduced. This type of cloning is used by scientists for many reasons, but often it is because so much can be learned about the proteins in our cells. By studying proteins and learning what happens when proteins are altered, scientists can develop new therapies to fight many serious medical conditions and diseases.
Molecular cloning is a multi-step process which begins with the isolation of the DNA in a cell that contains the gene the scientist wishes to clone. The scientist will select a host and cloning vector for this process. The vector is a miniscule portion of DNA and into this fragment, another strand DNA can be added. Vectors generally derive from plasmids and also often from viruses, and these vectors are known as recombinant DNA.
The second step is to take that DNA that you have isolated and purify it and then fragment the DNA with a restriction enzyme. These restriction enzymes will create staggered cuts in the DNA in specific sequences and these will generate fragments that have cohesive endings.
Now that these fragments have been created, they are placed into vectors or plasmids. These vectors are the parts of a cell of our chromosomes that are capable of being replicated independently. There is just a single restriction site in the plasmids used in molecular cloning. When this plasmid has split, new ends are created, and these ends are identical to the original fragments of DNA and also are cohesive.
These new fragments now line up perfectly with the plasmid and DNA ligase, which is an enzyme, is added to form a bond. Once that is accomplished, these plasmids will be placed into host cells. After they are placed into the host cells, the plasmid or rather the vector, will multiply and create new, identical copies of the altered DNA and the gene you are trying to replicate. Then the host cell divides and even more copies are made until you have a cluster or clone of the host cells.
Much of this process can be carried out by private biotechnology firms that specialize in everything from gene cloning to the production of recombinant proteins to site-directed mutagenesis. The latter is helpful for altering DNA sequences to look at the specific roles of a nucleotide or a specific amino acid within a protein.
Molecular cloning is a multi-step process which begins with the isolation of the DNA in a cell that contains the gene the scientist wishes to clone. The scientist will select a host and cloning vector for this process. The vector is a miniscule portion of DNA and into this fragment, another strand DNA can be added. Vectors generally derive from plasmids and also often from viruses, and these vectors are known as recombinant DNA.
The second step is to take that DNA that you have isolated and purify it and then fragment the DNA with a restriction enzyme. These restriction enzymes will create staggered cuts in the DNA in specific sequences and these will generate fragments that have cohesive endings.
Now that these fragments have been created, they are placed into vectors or plasmids. These vectors are the parts of a cell of our chromosomes that are capable of being replicated independently. There is just a single restriction site in the plasmids used in molecular cloning. When this plasmid has split, new ends are created, and these ends are identical to the original fragments of DNA and also are cohesive.
These new fragments now line up perfectly with the plasmid and DNA ligase, which is an enzyme, is added to form a bond. Once that is accomplished, these plasmids will be placed into host cells. After they are placed into the host cells, the plasmid or rather the vector, will multiply and create new, identical copies of the altered DNA and the gene you are trying to replicate. Then the host cell divides and even more copies are made until you have a cluster or clone of the host cells.
Much of this process can be carried out by private biotechnology firms that specialize in everything from gene cloning to the production of recombinant proteins to site-directed mutagenesis. The latter is helpful for altering DNA sequences to look at the specific roles of a nucleotide or a specific amino acid within a protein.
About the Author:
Armand Zeiders loves writing about biomedical research. For more information regarding custom monoclonal antibody services, please check out the PrimmBiotech.com site now.
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