Cloning Vector and cDNA Library

Flashcards created for definitions and concepts related to cloning vectors and cDNA libraries.

Cloning Vector Plasmid

A small circular DNA found in bacterial cells that is not the chromosomal DNA.

Ori

Replication origin that allows plasmid to replicate in the host cell.

ampR gene

Antibiotic resistance gene that allows cells to be resistant to ampicillin.

lazZ gene

Gene that produces β-galactosidase, changing X-gal into a blue product.

Transformation

The process of introducing recombinant DNA into bacterial cells.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms.

Restriction enzyme

An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sites.

cDNA

Complementary DNA synthesized from mRNA used for gene cloning.

Genomic Library

A collection of DNA that captures the entire genome of an organism.

cDNA Library

A library containing clones of cDNA fragments representing expressed genes.

S1 Nuclease

An enzyme used to trim DNA molecules to obtain blunt-ended molecules.

Linkers

Short strands of double-stranded DNA that have recognition sites for restriction enzymes.

Adapters

Short stretches of oligonucleotide that convert blunt ends into cohesive ends.

Screening

The process of identifying a particular clone containing the gene of interest from a gene library.

Hybridization Technique

A method used to identify specific DNA sequences using membrane and labelled probes.

Autoradiography

A technique that uses X-ray film to visualize the presence of radiolabelled genes.

Expression Screening

A method to determine which clones express the desired gene.