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Definition
1: near-boiling temperature causes double-stranded DNA to separate, or denature into single strands 2: temperature is decreased and short DNA sequences known as primers bind, or anneal, to complementary matches on the target DNA sequence. The primers bracket the target sequence to be copied 3: At a slightly higher temperature, Taq polymerase binds to the primed sequences and adds nucleotides to extend the second strand. This completes the first cycle. 4: repeat 1-3 |
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circular pieces of DNA that replicate independently of the host's chromosomal DNA |
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mainly bacteria, but can also exist in... -archaea -eukaryotes |
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some eukaryotes that can have plasmids |
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some beneficial functions plasmids can provide to the host |
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-resistance to antibiotics -degradative functions -virulence |
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what natural plasmids contain |
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Definition
-origin of replication (all have this) -typically include a gene that is advantageous for survival |
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what artificial plasmids used in the lab are used for |
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to introduce foreign DNA into the cell |
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minimally, plasmids made in the lab contain... |
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Definition
-origin of replication -selection marker -cloning site |
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what makes plasmids attractive tools for life scientists and bioengineers? |
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The ease of modifying plasmids and the ability of plasmids to self-replicate within a cell |
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some vector elements within a plasmid |
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Definition
-Origin of Replication (ORI) -Antibiotic Resistance Gene -Multiple Cloning Site (MCS) -Insert -Promoter Region -Selectable Marker -Primer Binding Site |
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Origin of Replication (ORI) |
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Definition
DNA sequence which allows initiation of replication within a plasmid by recruiting transcriptional machinery proteins |
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Antibiotic Resistance Gene |
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Allows for selection of plasmid-containing bacteria. |
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Multiple Cloning Site (MCS) |
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Short segment of DNA which contains several restriction sites allowing for the easy insertion of DNA. In expression plasmids, the MCS is often downstream from a promoter. |
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Gene, promoter or other DNA fragment cloned into the MCS for further study. |
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Drives transcription of the target gene. Vital component for expression vectors: determines which cell types the gene is expressed in and amount of recombinant protein obtained. |
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The antibiotic resistance gene allows for selection in bacteria. However, many plasmids also have selectable markers for use in other cell types. |
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A short single-stranded DNA sequence used as an initiation point for PCR amplification or sequencing. Primers can be exploited for sequence verification of plasmids. |
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Due to their aritificial nature, lab plasmids are commonly referred to as... |
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“vectors” or “constructs” |
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what scientists may do to insert a gene of interest into a vector |
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Definition
utilize one of a variety of cloning methods (Restriction enzyme, Ligation indepenent, Gateway, Gibson, etc) |
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-Restriction enzyme -Ligation indepenent -Gateway -Gibson -etc. |
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how the cloning method is chosen |
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based on the plasmid you want to clone into |
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Addgene’s Plasmid Guide includes information about... |
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Definition
-molecular cloning -how to choose a plasmid vector -molecular biology tools and references -how to maintain your plasmid stocks -multiple protocols and troubleshooting tips to make plasmid usage as simple and straightforward as possible |
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Generally, scientists use plasmids to... |
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Definition
manipulate gene expression in target cells |
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some characteristics of plasmids that enable molecular biologists to broadly utilize plasmids across a wide range of applications |
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-flexibility -versatility -safety -cost-effectiveness |
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Some common plasmid types |
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Definition
-Cloning plasmids -Expression plasmids -Gene knock-down plasmids -Reporter plasmids -Viral plasmids -Genome engineering plasmids |
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some things plasmids are being used for |
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Definition
vectors for experiments encompassing... -fluorescent imaging -recombinant DNA technology -mass protein production -disease modeling -drug discovery -genome editing |
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