BiotechnologyA process that uses bacteria or other microorganisms to create a product for industry

Restriction Enzymes

Viruses embed their DNA into bacteria using restriction enzymes.

Bacteria need to cut out viral DNA in self defense.

Bacteria use restriction enzymes as defense against viruses.Image of rhinovirus

Blunt end cuts

A T T C G T A C T T T C G T A

T A A G C A T G A A A G C A T

Blunt end cuts

VIRUS!!

Sticky end cuts

A T T G A A T T C T T G G C T

T A A C T T A A G A A C C G A

Action of Restriction Enzyme

VIRUS!

Close-up of infected DNA

What if this section of DNA

is viral DNA instead of bacterial?

Bacterial defense

Bacteria cut out the viral DNA using the same enzymes that the virus uses to embed the DNA.

How industry uses restriction enzymes

GENE X

Insert Gene X into bacteria

Use bacteria to make copies of Gene X

How to isolate “gene of interest”

GENE

Restriction enzyme site

Restriction enzyme site

Cutting the gene out

tube of restriction enzyme

tube of DNA

Preparing bacteria

PLASMID

Cut the bacteria with

the same restriction enzyme

used to cut out the gene

of interest

“Subcloning” gene of interest

GENE

Cloning gene of interest

Allow bacteria to grow

Obtaining gene from bacteria

Cut bacterial DNA with restriction enzyme again.

Load cut DNA into gel for separation.

Pouring gel

Loading gel

Setting voltage gradient

Isolating gene

Each band represents

DNA pieces of different

sizes. One of these bands should have the gene of

interest.

Sample gel of Salmonella

Paternity test

Sickle cell anemia

Gels show relationship

Gel electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, and biotechnology are helping scientists establish genetic relationships between different species.

In what ways can this technology help or hurt man?