Recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology:-

In modern biotechnology, the alteration of genetia make up of plant and animal cells is done by deliberate and artificial means. This can be done by cutting DNA molecules at specific cites to get fragments containing desirable and useful gene from one type of cell. So, these genes can be joined with a suitable carrier or vector. Such genetically modifed DNA fragments are known as recombinant DNA molecules. This is called recombinant DNA technology.

Tools of Recombinant DNA Technology:-

A. Enzymes:- Lysing Enzymes, cleasing Enzymes DNA Ligases (Joining or sealing Enzymes, Alkali Phosphate (AP), synthesizing Enzymes (Revese transcriptase, DNA polymerase)

B. Cloning Vectors (Vehicle DNA or carrier of DNA):- Plasmid vector, Bacteriophage Vectors (Lambda phase vector, M13 phase vector)

C. Competent Host (For Transformation with Recombinant DNA):- 

(i) DNA Mediated Gene Transfer (Vector Mediated Gene Transfer)

(ii) Direct or Vectorless Gene Transfer

Process of Recombinant DNA Technology:-

(i) Isolation of the Genetic Material (DNA)

(ii) Cutting of DNA at Specific Locations

(iii) Amplification of Gene of Interest Using PCR

(iv) Preparation and Insertion of Recombinant DNA into the Host cell/organism

(v) Obtaining the Foreign Gene product

(vi) Downstream Processing

Application of Recombinant DNA Technology or Genetic Engineering:-

(i) Molecular Analysis of Disease

(ii) Production of Proteins in Abundance

(iii) Laboratory Diagnostic Application

(iv) Gene Therapy

(v) Prental Diagonosis of Diseases

(vi) Application to Forensic Medicine

(vii) Agricultural Application

(viii) Industrial Application

(ix) Application to Animals

(x) Evolution