synthetic hormones and recombinant DNA

• Outline the process involved in producing synthetic hormones and vaccines through the recombinant DNA process 

1. The gene of interest (may be insulin or antigens) is isolated and cut using a restriction enzyme

2. This restriction enzyme cuts the gene of interest at recognition sites and produces sticky ends

3. The same restriction enzyme will cut a bacterial plasmid to produce complementary sticky ends

4. The gene of interest is inserted into the bacterial plasmid. DNA ligase joins the two sticky ends one from gene and one from plasmid, This forms recombinant DNA

5. The recombinant plasmid is then inserted back into bacterial cell (now called a transgenic organism). It is then grown to multiply.

6. The bacterial cell will express the gene of interest, which will produce (the product), which will be purified and removed for use in humans

• Describe the roles of Restriction enzymes, Transgenic organisms and DNA ligase in this process 

Restriction enzymes Cut DNA at specific sequences creating sticky ends so the gene can fit into plasmid

Transgenic organisms organsims that contain foreign DNA and grows

DNA Ligase joins the inserted gene into plasmid

• Propose the benefits of producing synthetic hormones in this way as compared to more archaic methods 

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