6.1.3 manipulating genoms

BAC (Bacterial artifical chromsome)

A man made plasmid used in gene technology

Computational biology

Using computers to study biology eg for simualtions, mathematical modelling or data mining

Bioinformatics

Developing and using computer software to analyse, organise and store biological data

Chain termination method

A technique used to sequence DNA

DNA primer

Short piece of DNA that is complementary to the bases at the start of a fragment that is being increased by PCR

DNA profiling

producing an image of the patterns in the non-coding DNA of an individual.

DNA sequencing

working out the sequence of bases in a strand of DNA.

Electrophoresis

Procedure that uses an electrical current to seperate DNA, RNA or protein fragments based on thier size

electroporation

the use of a very tiny electric current to transfer genetically engineered plasmids into bacteria or to get DNA fragments directly into eukaryotic cells.

forensics

the application of science to the law, commonly in solving crimes.

gene sequencing

working out the sequence of genes on a strand of DNA

gene therapy

Altering alleles inside cells to cure genetic disorders

genetic engineering

The manipulation of an organism's DNA

germ line cell gene therapy

inserting a healthy allele into the germ cells or into a very early embryo.

High throughput sequencing

new methods of sequencing DNA that are automated, very rapid and much cheaper than the original techniques.

Palindromic sequences

sections of DNA that base pairs that read the same in opposite directions

polymerase chain reaction

a process by which a small sample of DNA can be amplified using specific enzymes and temperature changes.

Recognition sites / sequences

A specific palindromic sequence recognised by a restriction enzyme

recombinant

new combination of alleles/DNA from two sources.

restriction endonuclease (enzyme)

enzyme that digests a strand of DNA into small pieces at specific recognition sites

somatic cell gene therapy

replacing a faulty gene with a healthy allele in affected somatic cells.

Sticky ends

Small tails of unpaired basis at the end of a section of DNA

synthetic biology

the design and construction of novel biological pathways, organisms or devices, or the redesign of existing natural biological systems.

Transformed organisms

Organisms that have had their DNA altered by genetic engineering

Transgenic organism

Organisms that have DNA from more than one species

Vector DNA

Used to transfer DNA into a cell; usually a plasmid or bacteriophage

vector (in genetic modification)

a means of inserting DNA from one organisms into the cells of another organism.