Recombinant DNA technology and the use of synthetic DNA molecules make it possible for molecular biology scientists to induce specific mutations in specific genes. In vitro mutagenesis is used to purposefully change genetic information. The analysis of the subsequent changes in gene expression and gene products helps elucidate the functional effect of the mutation. […]
APPLICATIONS OF MUTAGENESIS Read More »
Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology
Mutagens are biological, physical or chemical agents that change the genetic materials (inclusive of DNA and RNA molecules) of an organism and thus increase the frequency of mutations above the natural background level. They are substances that change the genetic information of an organism, usually by changing DNA. Mutagens interact with nucleic acid molecules particularly
Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms that have the ability to replicate independently. In prokaryotes, plasmids are found in both Gram positive bacteria and Gram negative bacteria; and they usually range from 1.5 kb to 300 kb in size. In terms of the strands of their DNA molecule, most
PCR is the acronym for “polymerase chain reaction”. Polymerase chain reaction is the molecular biology technique that is used to amplify or copy specific gene sequences or nucleotides of a DNA molecule or gene. It was invented by Kary Mullis and his colleagues in the early 1980s; and PCR technique is the most widely used
Restriction endonucleases are DNA cutting enzymes specifically found and isolated from bacteria; and which nick specific sites on a nucleotide sequence known as restriction sites. Restriction sites are the different sites on a DNA molecule that is nicked by a particular restriction enzyme. Several types of restriction enzymes exist, and they are primarily sourced from
ENZYMES USED IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES Read More »
Biotechnology, Molecular Microbiology, Techniques in Microbiology Lab
Based on their effects on the structural integrity of the DNA molecule, mutations can be classified as substitution, insertion, deletion, inversion, reciprocal translocation and chromosomal rearrangements. SUBSTITUTION (BASE-PAIR SUBSTITUTION) Substitution literally means the act of replacing one thing with another. When base substitution as a type of mutation occurs during DNA replication, a single base
CLASSIFICATION OF MUTATION BY THEIR EFFECTS ON THE DNA MOLECULE Read More »
Biotechnology
The term mutation is derived from the Latin word “mutare” – which means “to change”. Thus, mutation is simply defined as the change in genetic makeup (genotype) of an organism which results in the transformation of the phenotype of the organism. Mutation is an inheritable change in the base sequence of the genome of an
MUTATION: definition, types and causes Read More »
Biotechnology
Microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses are important tools used for a wide variety of pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological processes including but not limited to drug and vaccine production, single cell protein production, production of probiotics and other therapeutic, cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. For effective and sustainable production of useful microbial by-products, microorganisms can be
Molecular Manipulation of Microorganisms: significance and applications Read More »
Biotechnology
The phrase liposome is derived from two Greek words: Lipos which means “fat” and Soma which means “body”. Liposomes (also known as closed bilayer phospholipid systems) are artificial spherical vesicles that possess several or at least one lipid bilayer for the incorporation of an active agent such as a drug. They are often used as
LIPOSOMES: relevance & applications Read More »
Biotechnology
Thepopulation of the world is increasing at an alarming rate, and this calls for sustainable ways of food processing and production in order to contain the current food scarcity in some parts of the world especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The big question is: “how can microorganisms help to feed the worlds teeming population?” Microorganisms have
SINGLE CELL PROTEINS Read More »
Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology