Answer to Question #93352 in Molecular Biology for Kylie

Question

Explain how foreign DNA is inserted into host cells.

Answer 1

Currently, over 40 different methods of delivering recombinant DNA into cells are known.

A plasmid is the simplest vector for gene delivery. A plasmid is a circular DNA produced by genetic engineering. It contains the target gene and its promoter, as well as various regulatory and signal sequences necessary for the synthesis of large quantities of mRNA and the target protein. Different transfection techniques and reagents are used to deliver plasmids into eukaryotic cells. The efficiency of gene delivery can be increased by using viral vectors (adenovirus, lentiviral, etc.), and non-viral vectors (liposomes, DNA-lipid complexes, etc.). Electroporation is another method of DNA delivery and is characterized by the temporary production of pores in the cellular membrane under the brief influence of an electric field. DNA can also be delivered directly into a cell using microinjection. During the procedure, a solution containing DNA is injected into the cytoplasm of the cell or directly into the nucleus using microneedle.