Molecular biology: recombinant DNA technology, PCR, blotting basics
Biochemistry · MBBS
DNA double helix
Interactive 3DThe twisted ladder of life — A–T and G–C base pairs winding 10 per turn.
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Study notes
A diabetic injects insulin made by bacteria. This is recombinant DNA's first triumph — the human insulin gene was cut with restriction enzymes, pasted (ligase) into a bacterial plasmid vector, and E. coli now manufactures human insulin in fermenters. Before 1982, insulin came from pig/cow pancreases (allergic, scarce). The same cut-paste underlies hepatitis B vaccine (yeast), clotting factors, and gene therapy — molecular biology as medicine factory.
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