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How does recombinant DNA technology change the function of bacteria?
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synthetic biology
A scanning electron micrograph of cells of Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0—a synthetic bacterium.
In the context of synthetic biology, recombinant DNA technology transforms bacteria into biological "factories" by introducing foreign genes into their genetic material, typically via plasmids.21
This process changes bacterial function in the following ways:
- Protein Synthesis: By inserting specific genes—such as those for human insulin or growth hormone—researchers provide bacteria with the instructions to synthesize proteins they would not naturally produce. Once the inserted gene is operative, the bacterium transcribes and translates the foreign DNA into the specified protein.231
- Functional Alteration: Beyond manufacturing, the introduction of foreign genes can alter a bacterium's observable traits or metabolic capabilities. For example, acquiring genes through horizontal gene transfer can enable bacteria to adapt to new environments, such as developing antibiotic resistance or utilizing new metabolic pathways.145
- Industrial Utility: These modifications allow for the large-scale production of biologic drugs and other commercially valuable substances, effectively repurposing the organism's metabolism for human-directed goals.63
By enabling the precise insertion of genetic information, this technology allows scientists to create "designer organisms" tailored for research, medicine, or environmental solutions.73