Recombinant DNA Lab

  In this lab, we imitated the process of inserting plasmid into a bacteria plasmid. Our plasmid had a resistance to kanamycin. We found a restriction enzyme that cut a segment out of the DNA and cut the plasmid open. We used an enzyme that was closest to the insulin gene. Then we combined the DNA and plasmid with Ligase(tape). In order to test if bacteria took our plasmid, we would use kanamycin because our plasmid has a natural resistance to it and if the bacteria survived then the insertion was successful. We wouldn't use tetracycline or ampicillin because it would kill our bacteria. Restriction enzymes are proteins that bind to a segment of DNA and cut it. The one we used was Eco R1 since it cut the the human gene in two places close to the insulin gene and cut the plasmid in only one l place. If the restriction enzyme cut the bacteria in more than one place, then the lygase would not know where to attach the insulin gene to.  This is important in every day life, because it is used to create many vaccines and medicines, by making bacteria that can produce these products. This technology can also be used to create GMO foods, such as fruits that spoil more slowly.