DNA cloning
The ability to copy and manipulate DNA is key to many biotechnologies. In the laboratory this process, called DNA cloning, involves several steps and uses enzymes and processes adapted from nature. Click on the following for more details:
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DNA cloning
DNA cloning is the starting point for many genetic engineering approaches to biotechnology research.
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Restriction enzymes
In the laboratory, restriction enzymes (or restriction endonucleases) are used to cut DNA into smaller fragments. The cuts are always made at specific nucleotide sequences. Different restriction enzymes recognise and cut different DNA sequences.
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DNA ligation
In cells and in the lab, enzymes called ligases are used to join fragments of DNA together. Only DNA fragments that have matching, complementary ends can be joined by ligation.
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Bacterial transformation
Bacteria are commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers. Their cellular machinery also naturally carries out both DNA replication and protein synthesis.
