RECOMBINANT DNA

BIOLOGY

The Basics of Recombinant DNA

figure1:Step making DNA

So What Is rDNA?
That's a very good question! rDNA stands for recombinant DNA. Before
we get to the "r" part, we need to understand DNA. Those of you with
a background in biology probably know about DNA, but a lot of ChemE's haven't
seen DNA since high school biology. DNA is the keeper of the all the information
needed to recreate an organism. All DNA is made up of a base consisting
of sugar, phosphate and one nitrogen base. There are four nitrogen bases,
adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). The nitrogen
bases are found in pairs, with A & T and G & C paired together. The sequence

of the nitrogen bases can be arranged in an infinite ways, and their structure is known as

the famous "double helix" which  is shown in the image below. The sugar used in

DNA is deoxyribose. The four nitrogen bases are the same for all organisms. The

sequence and number of bases is what creates diversity.  DNA does not

actually make the organism, it only makes  proteins. The DNA is transcribed

into mRNA and mRNA is translated into protein, and the protein  then forms the

organism. By changing  the DNA sequence, the way in which the  protein is

formed changes. This leads to either a different protein, or an inactive protein
 
How is Recombinant DNA made?
There are three different methods by which Recombinant DNA is made. They are
Transformation, Phage Introduction, and Non-Bacterial Transformation. Each
are described separately below.

  Why is rDNA important?
Recombinant DNA has been gaining in importance over the last few years, and
recombinant DNA will only become more important in the 21st century as genetic

diseases become more prevelant and agricultural area is reduced.  Below  are

some of the areas where Recombinant DNA will have an impact.

• Better Crops (drought & heat resistance)
• Recombinant Vaccines (ie. Hepatitis B)
• Prevention and cure of sickle cell anemia
• Prevention and cure of cystic fibrosis
• Production of clotting factors
• Production of insulin
• Production of recombinant pharmaceuticals
• Plants that produce their own insecticides
• Germ line and somatic gene therapy 

source:https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=822989321202057055#editor/target=post;postID=3948061916385342144https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=822989321202057055#editor/target=post;postID=3948061916385342144