Gene Transfer Between Species: Universal Genetic Code and Biological Technology

TLDR; Genes can be transferred between species using universal genetic code, restriction enzymes, plasmids, and DNA ligase, enabling production of specific proteins.

⚗️ Transferring Genes Between Species

Genes can be transferred between species due to the universal genetic code shared by all living organisms, including bacteria.

The genetic code allows the transfer of genes between different organisms, enabling scientists to get creative with gene transfer.

The process involves isolating the gene responsible for producing a fluorescent glow in jellyfish and inserting it into different types of organisms.

This demonstrates the ability to transfer genes between species, showcasing the universal nature of the genetic code.

By using specific miniature scissors called restriction enzymes, genes can be chopped and transferred between different organisms.

These enzymes move along a DNA sequence, identifying specific patterns and cutting the nucleotides at those points.

This creates 'sticky ends' that make it easy to attach DNA from different organisms.

The use of ligase, an enzyme, helps link the DNA back together, creating a full plasmid that can be inserted into a bacterial cell.

Once inside the cell, the bacterial cell starts following the instructions found in the DNA, producing the protein of interest.

This process can be very useful in the large-scale production of proteins.

This method involves donor DNA, plasmids as vectors, restriction endonucleases, and DNA ligase, demonstrating how DNA can be transferred from one organism to another using basic biological technology.

🔬 Using Restriction Enzymes

Restriction enzymes, such as Eco R1, play a crucial role in the gene transfer process.

These miniature scissors move along a DNA sequence, looking for specific patterns, and cut the nucleotides at those points.

When the same type of scissors is used on both the vector (plasmid) and the donor DNA, it creates overlapping ends that can be easily combined together.

The use of restriction enzymes and ligase allows scientists to cut DNA from different organisms and put them together, making their ends overlap and enabling them to attach together.

This process is similar to using arts-and-crafts scissors to cut pieces of paper, match them up, and glue them together, creating a perfect fit.

By isolating a specific section of DNA and using the appropriate restriction enzyme, both the vector and the DNA can be cut with the same scissors, creating overlapping ends that can be combined and glued together.

The resulting plasmid can be inserted into a bacterial cell, which then follows the instructions found in the DNA to produce the desired protein.

⚙️ Using Plasmids as Vectors

Plasmids, which are loops of DNA, are used as vectors to transfer DNA from one cell to another.

They serve as a vehicle to help transfer DNA, similar to the way viruses are also used as vectors to inject DNA into other living organisms and bacteria.

The plasmid, acting as a vector, is cut at specific points using the same restriction endonuclease as the donor DNA.

This creates sticky ends on both sides, allowing them to be easily combined together.

Once the DNA ligase enzyme is used to link them back together, the resulting plasmid can be inserted into a bacterial cell to initiate protein production.

⚕️ Understanding the Process

The process of transferring DNA from one organism to another involves the use of basic biological technology such as DNA ligase, restriction endonuclease, nucleases, and plasmids.

This process allows the production of specific proteins, showcasing the potential for large-scale protein production.