Openstax-Microbiology Chapter 12 Modern Applications of Microbial Genetics

biotechnology

A form of technology that uses living organisms, usually genes, to modify products, to make or modify plants and animals, or to develop other microorganisms for specific purposes.

genetic engineering

Process of making changes in the DNA code of living organisms

recombinant DNA technology

technology that combines genes from different sources into a single DNA molecule

recombinant DNA molecules

molecules made by joining DNA from two different sources

transgenic

term used to refer to an organism that contains genes from other organisms

molecular cloning

isolation and incorporation of a piece of DNA into a vector so it can be replicated and manipulated

restriction endonucleases

an enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sites, producing small fragments used in genetic engineering.

recognition site

specific sequence of bases where a restriction enzyme cuts DNA

sticky ends

Single stranded ends of DNA left after cutting with enzymes

blunt ends

Restriction fragments with no overlapping ends and that never combine with another type of DNA

anneal

reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)

hybridization

Breeding technique that involves crossing dissimilar individuals to bring together the best traits of both organisms

ligation

to tie off or bind

vectors

quantities that have both a magnitude and a direction

polylinker site

Engineered sequence in middle of Lac Z Gene

reporter gene

A genetic marker included in recombinant DNA to indicate the presence of the recombinant DNA in a host cell.

blue-white screening

-Blue colonies do not have vector with foreign DNA inserted

-White colonies have foreign DNA inserted

phagemids

cloning vectors that contain components derived from both phage chromosomes and plasmids

genomic library

A set of thousands of DNA segments from a genome, each carried by a plasmid, phage, or other cloning vector.

clones

identical genetic copies

complementary DNA

single-stranded DNA that is complementary to messenger RNA or DNA that has been synthesized from messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase

transfection

Insertion of recombinant DNA into animal cells.

electroporation

A technique to introduce recombinant DNA into cells by applying a brief electrical pulse to a solution containing the cells. The pulse creates temporary holes in the cells' plasma membrane, through which DNA can enter.

microinjection

Is a technique for introducing a solution of DNA into a cell using a fine microcapillary pipette.

gene gun

device used to shoot DNA-coated pellets into plant cells

shuttle vectors

exist in several different species and can move cloned sequences among various organisms

tumor inducing plasmids

cause tumor formation in plants

protein signature

a set of over- or under-expressed proteins characteristic of cells in a particular diseased tissue

DNA probe

a molecule labeled with a radioactive isotope, dye, or enzyme that is used to locate a particular sequence or gene on a DNA molecule

autoradiography

a procedure that locates radioactive substances in a slice of tissue; the radiation exposes a photographic emulsion or a piece of film that covers the tissue

agarose gel electrophoresis

Used for size separation of PCR products (smaller molecules travel further); compared against a DNA ladder

RFLP

Differences in DNA sequence on homologous chromosomes that can result in different patterns of restriction fragment lengths (DNA segments resulting from treatment with restriction enzymes); useful as genetic markers for making linkage maps.

Southern blot

What blotting technique uses the following for analysis? • DNA

northern blot

What blotting technique uses the following for analysis? • RNA

Microarray analysis

track the expression of thousands of genes; used to identify and devise treatments for diseases based on the genetic profile of the disease

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)

method for analyzing proteins in their native states; compare molecular size or charge of proteins

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A technique for amplifying DNA in vitro by incubating with special primers, DNA polymerase molecules, and nucleotides.

Sanger DNA sequencing

Dideoxynucleotides halt DNA polymerization at each base, generating sequences of various lengths that encompass the entire original sequence. Terminated fragments are electrophoresed and the original sequence can be deduced.

Next generation sequencing

group of automated techniques used for rapid DNA sequencing

genomics

study of whole genomes, including genes and their functions

transcriptomics

study of RNA patterns

proteomics

study of the structure and function of proteins in the human body

metagenomics

the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples

bioinformatics

application of mathematics and computer science to store, retrieve, and analyze biological data

Reporter genes

encode proteins that are easy to detect and assay

recombinant DNA pharmaceuticals

treat human condition

RNA interference

Blocking gene expression by means of an miRNA silencing complex.