Molecular cloning refers to a process where the DNA within a cell is reproduced or replicated. Scientists use molecular cloning in several ways, mainly to learn more about proteins within cells and the function of these proteins. In addition, scientists also study what happens when proteins are changed. The results of these studies are often used to fight diseases and for other medical discoveries.
Molecular cloning begins with isolating the DNA within the cell that houses the gene you wish to recreate. In order to accomplish this, you will need both a host and a cloning vector. This is a small piece of DNA into which you can place a fragment of another piece of DNA. These vectors are called recombinant DNA and are generally taken from plasmids and viruses.
After isolating, the DNA must be purified and then is fragmented using a restriction enzyme. A restriction enzyme, which is generally produced by a type of bacteria, has the job of cleaving DNA molecules and creating fragments with endings that are cohesive.
These fragments will then be incorporated into plasmids or vectors, which are the genetic structures inside of cells that are capable of replication within a cell independently of the chromosomes. For molecular cloning, the type of plasmid that is utilized has just one single restriction site. When this is separated or split by the restriction enzyme, new cohesive ends are generated. These ends are identical to the original DNA fragments.
These new fragments now line up perfectly with the plasmid and DNA ligase, which is an enzyme, is added to form a bond. Once that is accomplished, these plasmids will be placed into host cells. After they are placed into the host cells, the plasmid or rather the vector, will multiply and create new, identical copies of the altered DNA and the gene you are trying to replicate. Then the host cell divides and even more copies are made until you have a cluster or clone of the host cells.
Most of the time, researchers actually contract out the work of molecular or gene cloning. There are companies that can provide everything from recombinant DNA production to gene cloning and even mutagenesis, which is the mutating of genes. Genes are often mutated so that researchers can study the altered DNA sequences and better understand the function of an amino acid or nucleotide in a certain protein.
Molecular cloning begins with isolating the DNA within the cell that houses the gene you wish to recreate. In order to accomplish this, you will need both a host and a cloning vector. This is a small piece of DNA into which you can place a fragment of another piece of DNA. These vectors are called recombinant DNA and are generally taken from plasmids and viruses.
After isolating, the DNA must be purified and then is fragmented using a restriction enzyme. A restriction enzyme, which is generally produced by a type of bacteria, has the job of cleaving DNA molecules and creating fragments with endings that are cohesive.
These fragments will then be incorporated into plasmids or vectors, which are the genetic structures inside of cells that are capable of replication within a cell independently of the chromosomes. For molecular cloning, the type of plasmid that is utilized has just one single restriction site. When this is separated or split by the restriction enzyme, new cohesive ends are generated. These ends are identical to the original DNA fragments.
These new fragments now line up perfectly with the plasmid and DNA ligase, which is an enzyme, is added to form a bond. Once that is accomplished, these plasmids will be placed into host cells. After they are placed into the host cells, the plasmid or rather the vector, will multiply and create new, identical copies of the altered DNA and the gene you are trying to replicate. Then the host cell divides and even more copies are made until you have a cluster or clone of the host cells.
Most of the time, researchers actually contract out the work of molecular or gene cloning. There are companies that can provide everything from recombinant DNA production to gene cloning and even mutagenesis, which is the mutating of genes. Genes are often mutated so that researchers can study the altered DNA sequences and better understand the function of an amino acid or nucleotide in a certain protein.
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Armand Zeiders loves blogging about biomedical research. For more information about custom monoclonal antibody services, please visit the PrimmBiotech.com website now.
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