In this blog post, we will explore the basic concepts, key tools, processes, and applications of recombinant DNA technology.
Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA Technology
It is no exaggeration to say that the 21st century is the era of biotechnology. The term “biotechnology” was first used in 1917 by a Hungarian engineer, who described it as “all work that produces useful substances from raw materials with the help of living organisms.” Today, it refers to technologies that create useful products and services by directly utilizing living organisms or using substances extracted from them.
One of the core technologies that has enabled the advancement of biotechnology is DNA recombination technology. As this technology has become widespread, the manipulation of living organisms—once thought possible only in the imagination—has become a reality, making it possible to create new value and offer solutions to the problems facing humanity.
Basic Concepts of DNA and Cells
All living organisms are composed of cells, the basic unit of life. Cells are enclosed by a membrane, and their interiors are mostly filled with water. Cells contain a nucleus that regulates cellular activity, and within that nucleus lies DNA. As genetic material, DNA stores all the information of the cell.
Therefore, if the information contained in DNA can be altered as desired, the production characteristics of the cell can be modified. The technology that cuts and splices DNA to create new substances useful to humans is known as DNA recombination technology.
Key Tools of DNA Recombination Technology
DNA recombination technology requires three main tools. The first is a “restriction enzyme,” which cuts DNA. Restriction enzymes are found in various types of bacteria and are used by bacteria to cut the DNA of invading viruses, thereby protecting themselves from the viruses. Each restriction enzyme recognizes a specific nucleotide sequence and cuts precisely at that site.
The second is a ‘vector.’ A vector is a DNA molecule that carries the desired DNA fragment into a cell and ensures that it is not lost but replicates independently. When the desired gene is inserted into a vector, that gene is maintained and replicated within the cell as part of the vector. The most widely used vector is a plasmid, which is a small, circular piece of DNA that exists separately from the chromosome within bacteria and can replicate independently.
The third component is a DNA ligase enzyme. Ligase joins foreign DNA fragments via covalent bonds, allowing the foreign DNA to become part of the plasmid and creating a recombinant plasmid.
Recombination Process
The DNA recombination process proceeds in stages. Simplified, the process is as follows:
1. Extract the target DNA and the bacterial plasmid, then cut them with the same restriction enzyme.
2. Join the cut DNA fragments to the plasmid using ligase.
3. Insert the recombinant plasmid into bacteria that do not carry a plasmid, screen for transformed bacteria, and propagate them in large quantities.
For example, in the case of growth hormone production, the human growth hormone gene can be inserted into a plasmid and then mass-produced using bacteria.
Applications and Prospects
DNA recombination technology aids basic research, produces useful protein products, offers methods for agricultural improvement, and provides new treatments for diseases. It also enables the replacement of traditional chemical processes with environmentally friendly bioprocesses and opens up the possibility of producing petrochemical products from bacteria.
Furthermore, through convergence with other fields, even more applications will emerge, and these changes are expected to spark yet another biotechnology revolution.
