Recombinant DNA Technology

What is recombinant DNA?

Recombinant DNA is created by combining DNA sequences that would not normally occur together.

What are some uses of recombinant DNA technology?

Manufacturing hormones and chemotherapeutic agents, gene therapy, and genetic modification.

What is a recombinant protein?

A protein that is derived from recombinant DNA.

What role do restriction endonucleases play in recombinant DNA technology?

They are enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, enabling the manipulation of DNA for cloning.

What is the theory behind cloning?

Cloning involves manipulating DNA in vitro using a cloning vector to produce identical copies of a DNA segment.

What are plasmids?

Plasmids are small circular double-stranded DNA molecules that replicate independently and are commonly used as vectors in cloning.

What is the purpose of a cloning vector?

To carry foreign DNA into a host cell for replication and expression.

What are the common features of cloning vectors?

They include a replicator (ori), a selectable marker, and a cloning site.

What is gene therapy?

A technique that involves inserting genes into an individual's cells to treat disease, particularly hereditary diseases caused by single-gene defects.

What are some challenges associated with gene therapy?

Challenges include delivering large sections of DNA to the correct site, toxicity, immune responses, and gene control issues.

What are YACs?

Yeast artificial chromosomes that can propagate as separate chromosomes in yeast, used for cloning large DNA fragments.

What is the significance of the multi-billion dollar industry of recombinant DNA technology?

It encompasses various applications, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology.

What is the process of cloning with a plasmid vector?

It involves isolating a gene, inserting it into a plasmid, transforming bacteria, and growing them to isolate the cloned DNA.

What are some examples of hormones produced using recombinant DNA technology?

Insulin, interferon, human growth hormone, and erythropoietin.

What is the role of vectors in gene therapy?

Vectors, often viruses, are used to deliver therapeutic genetic material into cells.

What ethical issues are associated with recombinant DNA technology?

Concerns include human cloning and reproductive technology.

What is the importance of understanding gene interactions in gene therapy?

Genes may have multiple functions and interact with other genes and the environment, complicating treatment strategies.

What are some common types of cloning vectors?

Plasmids, bacteriophages, cosmids, and YACs.

What is the significance of antibiotic resistance genes in cloning?

They allow for the selection of bacteria that have successfully taken up recombinant DNA.

What are some examples of diseases targeted by gene therapy?

Cystic fibrosis and other hereditary diseases caused by single-gene defects.

What are the limitations of non-viral vectors in gene therapy?

They often have poor transfer efficiency compared to viral vectors.