Lecture 41: Recombinant DNA Techniques

A collection of key vocabulary related to recombinant DNA techniques, RNA interference, Sanger sequencing, PCR, and CRISPR-Cas9 genomic editing.

RNA interference (RNAi)

A biological process where double-stranded RNA leads to mRNA degradation, reducing protein expression.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that is formed by combining two strands of DNA that are not normally linked.

Sanger sequencing

A method for determining the sequence of DNA by controlled termination of DNA strand extension.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, enabling the generation of millions of copies.

CRISPR-Cas9

A genome editing tool that utilizes the CRISPR bacterial immune system to cleave foreign DNA.

Restriction enzymes

Bacterial proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences, facilitating the creation of recombinant DNA.

cDNA

Complementary DNA synthesized from a messenger RNA template, lacking introns, used in gene expression studies.

siRNA

Small interfering RNA, a type of RNA that targets mRNA for degradation in RNA interference.

miRNA

MicroRNA, a small non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression, typically through translational repression.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS)

A modern sequencing technique that allows for the simultaneous sequencing of millions of DNA fragments.