Question

What is recombinant DNA technology called popularly? Name the vectors and enzymes used in this technique.

Answer 1

DNA molecules that are formed from laboratory methods of genetic recombination which brings together genetic material from multiple sources and thereby creating sequences. That would not otherwise be found in the genome is known as a recombinant DNA or rDNA. Recombinant DNA is the general name given for a piece of DNA which has been created by the combination at least two fragments from two different sources.

Complete answer:
The recombinant DNA technology is a technique which is mainly used to change the phenotype of a host organism when a genetically altered vector is introduced into the genome of the organism. The process of rDNA technology involves the introduction of a foreign piece of a DNA strand into the genome which contains the gene of interest. The gene which is introduced in this process is the recombinant gene and the technique used is called the recombinant DNA technology.
The recombinant DNA or rDNA technology is also commonly known as genetic engineering. This technique deals with the alteration of the genetic makeup of cells by deliberate and artificial means.
Various types vectors used in this technique are: plasmid vector, bacteriophage vector, cosmid vector, BACS (bacterial artificial chromosomes), YACS (yeast artificial chromosomes), MACS (mammalian artificial chromosomes).
Some of the enzymes used in genetic engineering or rDNA technology are: BAM HI, Bgl II, Eco RI, Hae II and HindIII.

Note:
It is relatively easy to isolate a sample of DNA from a collection of cells but finding a specific gene of interest within this DNA sample is too hard. The sample of a small tissue will contain many kilometers of DNA. However, recombinant DNA or rDNA technology made it possible to isolate one gene or any other segment of DNA which enables researchers to determine its nucleotide sequence and study its transcripts. It also helps researchers to mutate the DNA segment or strands in highly specific ways and reinsert the modified sequence into a living organism.