Microbio Ch.9: Biotechnology

Vector

A self replicating DNA molecule used to transport foreign DNA into a cell

Selection

Selecting for a naturally occurring microbe that produces a desired product. One cell could naturally make more of the desired product compared to other cells

Mutation

Mutagens cause mutations that might result in a microbe with a desirable trait. Increase in “errors” to increase probability of getting a gene that will produce more synthesis of the product of interest. GMO‘s are an example.

Site-directed mutagenesis

A targeted and specific change in a gene that is known to synthesize the desired product of interest.

Restriction enzymes

Enzymes in many bacteria that cut very specific sequences of DNA.

Restriction enzyme

What enzyme cuts DNA to be inserted and DNA of a vector

Plasmid vectors

These vectors are easy to manipulate, but take smaller gene inserts

Viral vectors

These vectors are a bit more difficult to manage, but can take up much larger inserts that will help introduce larger pieces of DNA