Recombinant DNA technology, joining
together of DNA molecules
from two different species that are inserted into a host organism to produce
new genetic combinations that are of value to science, medicine, agriculture,
and industry. Since the focus of all genetics is the gene, the fundamental goal
of laboratory geneticists is to isolate, characterize, and manipulate genes.
Although it is relatively easy to isolate a sample of DNA from a collection of cells, finding a
specific gene within this DNA sample can be compared to finding a needle in a
haystack. Consider the fact that each human cell contains approximately 2
metres (6 feet) of DNA. Therefore, a small tissue sample will contain many
kilometres of DNA. However, recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to
isolate one gene or any other segment of DNA, enabling researchers to determine
its nucleotide sequence,
study its transcripts, mutate it in highly specific ways, and reinsert the
modified sequence into a living organism.
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