Students construct paper recombinant plasmids to simulate the methods genetic engineers use to create modified bacteria. They learn what role enzymes, DNA and genes play in the modification of organisms. For the particular model they work on, they isolate a mammal insulin gene and combine it with a bacteria's gene sequence (plasmid DNA) for production of the protein insulin.

Biology 2e is designed to cover the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester biology course for science majors. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology includes rich features that engage students in scientific inquiry, highlight careers in the biological sciences, and offer everyday applications. The book also includes various types of practice and homework questions that help students understand—and apply—key concepts. The 2nd edition has been revised to incorporate clearer, more current, and more dynamic explanations, while maintaining the same organization as the first edition. Art and illustrations have been substantially improved, and the textbook features additional assessments and related resources.

By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:

List the different steps in prokaryotic transcription
Discuss the role of promoters in prokaryotic transcription
Describe how and when transcription is terminated

This pathway explains how restriction enzymes are used in gene cloning to obtain the DNA pieces that will create a recombinant plasmid. This pathway supports ABE labs 2, 2a, 3, 4, and 4a.

This video explains how to sort small molecules using a technique called column chromatography.

Esta vía explica cómo se utilizan las enzimas de restricción en la clonación de genes para obtener las piezas de ADN que crearán un plásmido recombinante. Esta vía es compatible con los laboratorios ABE 2, 2a, 3, 4 y 4a.

This video explains the different ways the gene editing complex CRISPR-Cas9 is delivered into cells.

In this simulation the learner will design a sequence of experiments to
generate a coronavirus vaccine.

This pathway outlines the process of genetic engineering with a focus on gene cloning. This pathway also provides an introduction for the ABE lab series.

This pathway will help learners better understand the critical role that bacterial cells play as protein production factories in the process of gene cloning. The processes of binary fission, transcription and translation are all essential for this role and are explored in detail here. For those using this pathway as part of the Amgen Biotech Experience, this pathway is a good companion to ABE Lab 5.

In this video, Monique demonstrates how to perform a restriction enzyme digest in the lab.

Este interactivo desplegable muestra el motivo por el cual se necesita una técnica como la electroforesis en gel para ordenar moléculas de ADN de distinto tamaño, incluidos los plásmidos de ADN lineal y de ADN circular. El interactivo también analiza el motivo por el cual no siempre es posible determinar el tamaño de un trozo circular de ADN a partir de la distancia que recorre sobre un gel.

This scrollable interactive shows why a technique like gel electrophoresis is needed to sort different size DNA molecules, including both linear DNA and circular DNA plasmids. The interactive also discusses why it is not always possible to judge the size of a circular piece of DNA from the distance it runs on a gel.

This scrollable interactive takes users on a tour of the DNA double helix, explaining how nucleotide base pairing leads to DNA's unique shape. Gel electrophoresis is also introduced as a technique that can help sort and estimate the size of both linear and circular DNA molecules.

This animation describes the structure of a prokaryotic cell and how it is altered to allow binary fission to occur.

This video describes how bacterial cells can be made to take up foreign DNA in the lab through a process called transformation.

In dieser Simulation üben die Anwender die Transformation von
Bakterienzellen mit einem rekombinanten Plasmid mit der
Hitzeschockmethode.

In this simulation, users will practice transforming bacterial cells with a
recombinant plasmid using the heat shock method.