DNA technology

Gene

a section of a chromosome which codes for a protein

Gene technology

a range of activities concerned with understanding gene expression (Eg. modifying genes, transferring genes, amplifying genes)

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Vector

In molecular biology, a vector is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic material into another cell

Target cell

In molecular biology is the cell that will receive the foreign DNA

Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) are DNA molecules formed by laboratory methods of genetic recombination (such as molecular cloning) to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in biological organisms

Transgenic organism

When a gene from one species is placed into the genome of a second species using DNA technology

Genetic transformation

: transformation is the genetic alteration of a cell by the direct uptake and incorporation of exogenous genetic material

Genetic transfection

introducing nucleic acids into cells (the term is often used for eukaryotic cells)

Selective breeding

Selective breeding (also called artificial selection) is the process by which humans use animal and plant breeding to selectively develop particular phenotypic traits (characteristics)

Annealing

the alignment and binding of complementary nucleic acids

Taq Polymerase

An enzyme from Thermus aquaticus bacteria that is used in PCR to bring in free nucleotides

DNA ligase

Joins fragments of DNA by covalently bonding the backbone

restriction enzymes

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

sticky ends

Single stranded ends of DNA left after cutting with enzymes

reverse transcriptase

An enzyme encoded by some certain viruses (retroviruses) that uses RNA as a template for DNA synthesis.

gel electrophoresis

Procedure used to separate and analyse DNA fragments by placing a mixture of DNA fragments at one end of a porous gel and applying an electrical voltage to the gel

CRISPR

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats - a system used to modify DNA

Guide RNA (gRNA)

Complementary to the DNA gene of interest. Will help take Cas-9 to the gene of interest and will bind (complementary base pairin grules) and allows CAS9 to cut the DNA

CAS-9

An enzyme that is bound to gRNA and helps form the CRISPR Complex, recognsises a PAM and can cut the DNA