Recombinant DNA
Cell DNA
DNA Ligase (Glue)
DNA fragment ligated (inserted) into vector creating recombinant DNA molecule.
Today
• Gene Therapy Vector Engineering Project.
Recombinant DNA Technology Tools
• Plasmid Vectors
– To move DNA from one organism to another.
• Restriction Enzymes
– “Molecular Scissors” to cut DNA in specific places.
Materials
• In lab folder (one per group):
– Activity Instruction Sheet (WHITE) – Answer/Data Sheet (WHITE) – Restriction Enzyme Sheet (GREEN)
• Get from me (one per group):
Recombinant DNA
• Recombinant DNA is when two or more pieces of DNA that don’t normally go together are combined.
Genetic Engineering
• Genetic Engineering is the process of using recombinant DNA technology to genetically alter or create new organisms.
– Use paper models to simulate the process of engineering your recombinant gene therapy vector.
• DNA sheet for the therapeutic gene to treat the genetic disease you were assigned. • DNA sheet for the vector you chose to treat the disease.
– Plasmids – Restriction Enzymes – DNA Ligase

Cloning Involves Making Identical Copies
“Cloning” can mean several things:
– To make many identical copies of a DNA molecule or a particular stretch of DNA (DNA cloning or molecular cloning). – To replicate an entire organism (reproductive cloning).
– Vector DNA sheet (PINK) – Therapeutic DNA sheet (BLUE)
• Other: scissors/glue stick
Yesterday:
Genetic Disorders and Gene Therapy
Today:
Genetic Engineering
What does Genetic Engineering mean to You?
Overview of Genetic Engineering
• What are the differences between cloning, recombinant DNA, and genetic engineering? • What are the tools we use for genetic engineering?
• DNA Ligase
– DNA “glue” to stick pieces of DNA together.
Plasmids
Plasmids Small, circular pieces of “extra” DNA found in bacteria. Plasmids often carry antibiotic resistance.
Restriction Enzymes: Molecular Scissors
A restriction enzyme (RE) is a specialized protein that cuts DNA in a very specific place. Different REs cut at different places along the nucleotide sequence.