Genetic Engineering

We can use a process called gel electrophoresis to separate the pieces

Figure 20.x1a Laboratory worker reviewing DNA band pattern

Gel Electrophoresis Moves DNA because it is negative Separates DNA fragments based on size The smaller the fragment the farther it will move Can compare DNA from individuals

Gel Electrophoresis

Figure DNA fingerprints from a murder case

Figure 20.9 Using restriction fragment patterns to distinguish DNA from different alleles

Recombinant DNA When a piece of foreign DNA (in purple) is added to a bacterial plasmid (a circular piece of DNA in bacteria), the end result is known as recombinant DNA

How to make recombinant DNA: take a gene (piece of DNA) from a human cell and combine it with a plasmid from a bacteria using restriction enzymes.

Recombinant DNA: making plants glow