Monday, March 16, 2020

Unknown Plasmid - Restriction Enzymes, Gel Electrophoresis, and Transformation essays

Unknown Plasmid - Restriction Enzymes, Gel Electrophoresis, and Transformation essays Using DNA technology, including restriction enzymes, gel electrophoresis, and transformation we performed two experiments to identify an unknown plasmid. The first experiment involved gel electrophoresis of plasmid DNA with and with out restriction enzymes to determine migration and number of base pairs in specific fragments. Known DNA fragments were used to determine the size of the unknown fragments. Plasmid maps of pKAN and pAMP were used to compare the sizes to the unknown sizes, where by identification of the unknown was pKAN. The second experiment used the same unknown plasmid in a transformation to bacteria E.coli HD. The recombinant DNA of the bacteria was analyzed by growing the bacteria in plates containing antibiotics. The growth of the unknown sample was shown only in the pKAN/LB plate and the LB (standard medium) plate, thus the bacteria contained DNA which held resistance to kanamycin, a characteristic of the pKAN plasmid. Through the results of both experiments we th erefore conclude that the unknown plasmid was pKAN. Recombinant DNA is the extracting DNA from one genome and incorporating it into another genome. This genetic technology is used in a variety of ways and benefits a variety of people and industries. The usage of recombinant DNA makes products like insulin for those who are diabetic. Other health related uses include synthesis of vaccines and antibiotics, and research is currently being conducted to further integrate recombinant DNA into the world of medicine and health. Another important use of recombinant DNA is in agriculture. Both animal and crop agriculture benefit from this technology, plants can be created with greater pest resistance and higher quality, and animals can be injected with hormones synthesized through recombinant DNA to help regulate and improve their growth and reproduction. DNA technology has hundreds of applications, thus has its place firmly established in the realm of scienc...