Biology Forums - Study Force

Discussion News Articles and Discussion Topic started by: psyche360 on Sep 23, 2015



Title: Why can't we simply insert any gene into bacteria and have them create the...
Post by: psyche360 on Sep 23, 2015
Why can't we simply insert any gene into bacteria and have them create the protein for us? How come it's not that easy? :-:)


Title: Re: Why can't we simply insert any gene into bacteria and have them create the...
Post by: bolbol on Jul 16, 2023
If we want to express the gene in bacteria to make a protein, the gene must point in the right direction relative to the promoter, or control sequence that drives gene expression. If the gene were backwards, the wrong strand of DNA would be transcribed and no protein would be made. In other cases, bacteria may be used as protein factories. If a plasmid contains the right control sequences, bacteria can be induced to express the gene it contains when a chemical signal is added. Expression of the gene leads to production of mRNA, which is translated into protein. Scientists add foreign DNA sequences to bacteria for two reasons: To make it easier to work with the DNA sequence. Once inside bacteria, a stretch of DNA can readily be copied and its sequence determined. To make a foreign protein within bacteria.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.