Chemical Concept

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The advantage of genetic engineering over the traditional plant breeding method is that is not bounded by the limitations mentioned above, which makes it a better option to choose. The main process of it involves the transferring of a selected gene of interest, from one organism to another. This enables traits from any living organism to be transferred to another organism.

The process of genetic engineering can be summarised in the following steps:

  1. DNA Extraction

The very first step of genetic engineering is to know which DNA is of interest and extract it out from the desired organism. Before the removal of the DNA, a sample has to be taken through multiple steps for the organism containing the gene of interest.

2. Gene Cloning

The second step requires the extraction of all the DNA. The purpose of this step is to segregate the gene of interest from the rest of the genes that is extracted out and multiply that copy into thousands.

4. Transformation

The new gene is inserted into some of the cells using various techniques. Some of the more common methods include the gene gun, agrobacterium, microfibers, and electroporation. The main goal of each of these methods is to transport the new gene(s) and deliver them into the nucleus of a cell without killing it.

5. Colony Selection

Successfully transformed cells are selected using antibiotics. This is because the plasmid used for transformation contains an antibiotic resistance gene. Plating the bacteria on a Lb plate with a nutrient medium and the specific antibiotics will kill off any colonies that were without the plasmid, as they would lack the antibiotic resistance gene required to survive on the plate.

3. Gene Design

After the gene of interest have been multiplied into thousands, the next step is to enable the gene of interest to function once it enters a different organism. How this is done is by cutting the gene of interest apart from the rest and place the gene regions that was cut out.

Reference:

Higley, L.G. Siegfried, B.D. Foster, J.E. Taylor, S. Roeber, R.J. Lee, D.J. (2001). Overview of the Process of Plant Genetic Engineering. Retrieved from http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm.