KE7001 Biochemistry Lectures

Exploring genes

Reading material: Stryer, Chapter 6

Abstract: Recombinant DNA technology has revolutionized biochemistry. Some of the methods will be summarized.

Restriction enzymes cleave DNA specifically. DNA can be sequenced by using dideoxynucleotides. Plasmides and phages can be used for DNA cloning in bacteria. Genomic and cDNA libraries can be constructed. A particular gene can be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Key concepts:
Restriction enzymes
Blotting techniques
The Sanger dideoxy method of DNA sequencing
Synthetic nucleotide synthesis
Vectors
Libraries
PCR
cDNA
Cloning

Links:
Stryer: Dideoxy Sequencing of DNA (Animated technique)
Stryer: Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR (Animated technique)
Stryer: Synthesizing an Oligonucleotide Array (Animated technique)
Stryer: Screening an Oligonucleotide Array for Patterns of Gene Expression (Animated technique)
Stryer: Plasmid Cloning (Animated technique)
Stryer: In Vitro Mutagenesis of Cloned Genes (Animated technique)
Stryer: Creating a Transgenic Mouse (Animated technique)

Take a look at these very nice figures and drawings from the Graphics Gallery "From gene to function" at Access Excellence:
Example of Restriction Enzyme action (EcoRI)

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