Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA technology is a technique that allows scientists to combine genes from different organisms to create something new.

The process often uses a plasmid, a small circular piece of bacterial DNA, as a carrier or vector.

Scientists cut the plasmid open and insert a gene of interest—for example, a human gene. Once joined, the DNA is called recombinant DNA.

The recombinant plasmid is placed back into a bacterium. Each time the bacteria divide, the plasmid is copied too.

As the bacteria multiply, millions of copies of the gene are produced quickly. This process is called gene cloning. If the gene is expressed, the bacteria produce the protein coded by that gene.

One important application is the production of insulin.

By inserting the human insulin gene into bacteria, scientists created tiny “factories” that produce insulin for people with diabetes.

Recombinant DNA technology is also used to make vaccines, improve crop growth, and help scientists study genes more closely.