Molecular Genetics

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Molecular cloning is a major tool among DNA manipulations used in molecular genetics. It is carried out for a variety of purposes. The schema below illustrates library construction, isolation of a specific DNA, nucleotide sequencing, sequence comparison, use of sequence to guide mutagenesis of the clone and evaluation of the effects of mutation.

Purposes include:

• isolation of specific DNA
  • for use as probes,
  • for use in restriction mapping,
  • for nucleotide sequencing and
  • for reintroduction into organisms;
• establishment of collections of cells or viruses each containing a different segment of a large DNA population and collectively containing a representative of almost every sequence in the population (libraries);
• production of quantities of specific proteins (expression)
  • for further study (eg. enzyme kinetics),
  • for laboratory use (eg. restriction enzymes, DNA
    polymerases-Fermentas recombinants)
  • for industrial use (text) or
  • as pharmaceuticals (eg. erythropoietin, insulin);
• production of mutated and recombined DNA for the purpose of analysis of function of the DNA or of the encoded protein;
• correction of genetic defects or modification of genetic traits.

Further information

• Efficient molecular cloning has five requirements.
• Molecular cloning methods for modification of cells and organisms is covered elsewhere.