How can genetic engineering be accomplished in bacteria

Somewhere between the summer of love and the last moon landing, scientists discovered something extraordinary about bacteria. To defend themselves from viruses, bacteria evolved molecular scissors called restriction enzymes. Restriction enzymes recognize and cut specific patterns of DNA sequences. These patterns are common, but they don t show up in the bacteria s own genes. Invading DNA that makes its way into the bacteria gets cut by restriction enzymes and disarmed.

Using restriction enzymes, scientists can cut and paste together DNA from different species. For example, by cutting and pasting the gene for human insulin into bacteria, we can use the bacteria as biofactories to produce insulin for diabetic patients.

Restriction Enzymes are like molecular scissors that cut specific sequences of DNA. Scientists use restriction enzymes to cut and paste DNA together. Flash forward to the early s. Before the war on drugs or the Challenger disaster, scientists discovered something unusual about certain soil bacteria. When these Agrobacteria infect a plant, they cut and paste a small package of DNA into the plant s genome. The package tells the plant cells to divide and make food for the bacteria.

Scientists can employ Agrobacteria to deliver packages of their own. Using restriction enzymes, they replace some of the Agrobacterium s own genes with a gene for a useful trait, such as resistance to insects or pathogens.

Traditionally, humans have manipulated genomes indirectly by controlling breeding and selecting offspring with desired traits. Genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of one or more genes. Most often, a gene from another species is added to an organism's genome to give it a desired phenotype.

Genetic engineering is a term that was first introduced into our language in the s to describe the emerging field of recombinant DNA technology and some of the things that were going on. Click below the question to view the answer. This content requires Flash Player 10 or higher.

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