A common cloning technique to design and make recombinant DNA uses restriction enzymes that were found primarily in bacteria. Natively, restriction enzymes cut foreign DNA that could have been introduced from an infection. For cloning experiments, restriction enzymes can be used to make DNA fragments and create recombinant DNA.

Restriction Enzymes

Transformation is a method of horizontal gene transfer where foreign, naked DNA is taken up by a bacteria. Many bacteria are competent at interacting with environmental DNA and take up DNA. Transformation has been used for genetic engineering purposes with bacteria as well.

Transformation

Conjugation is a mechanism of gene transfer where the cells use a conjugation pilus to transfer DNA between cells. The conjugation pilus is encoded on the F plasmid. 

Conjugation

In transduction, bacteriophages can infect bacteria and move short pieces of DNA from one bacteria to another. This can transfer virulence genes and allow bacteria to be pathogenic. Viral transduction can be used in genetic engineering experiments to add recombinant genes into the chromosomes of bacteria.

Viral Transduction

A genomic library contains a copy of the cell's genomic DNA that becomes a "library" of recombinant DNA plasmids. This allows for sequencing the genomes and for identifying the function of genes in the genome.

Genomic Library

- Restriction Enzymes
- Transformation
- Conjugation
- Transduction
- Genomic Library 

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Molecular cloning describes the processes performed in laboratories to make recombinant DNA and introduce it to an organism.

Molecular Cloning

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Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

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OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

Techniques for Molecular Cloning in Bacteria

Introducing recombinant DNA into eukaryotes is called transfection. 

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