Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: The Scientist on 02/07/2010 16:32:29

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: The Scientist on 02/07/2010 16:32:29

Is DNA cutting made possible with a 'scissors'? And what type of scissors would that be? thanks!

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: Variola on 14/07/2010 13:47:17

You mean restriction enzymes? They recognise a particular sequence in the genome and will bind and digest the DNA there, very useful for cutting DNA up , or for inserting other DNA sequences in, as is common with recombineering/cloning.

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: tangoblue on 03/08/2010 03:18:21

I'm sure the enzyme is lygase.

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: Variola on 03/08/2010 08:39:54

Nearly right ligase is the enzyme that sticks bits back together  [:)]

Restriction enzymes  are endonuclease's  the DNA at certain points, they recognise a particular sequence, example BamH1 cuts whenever it finds the GATCC sequence in DNA.

Then if you cut a bit of DNA out, and you want to put it into a vector, say a plasmid, you use ligase to help it join up.

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: chris on 03/08/2010 13:45:52

Excellent answers; thanks Variola.

Chris

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: sittingoverhere on 04/08/2010 06:34:05

BamH1 is just one example. If you want to see some of the variety some biotech companies specialise in producing restriction enzymes. The list here is an example and is by no means exhaustive.
http://www.neb.com/nebecomm/products/category1.asp

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: Variola on 04/08/2010 08:56:12

Yup it is just one, but I figured it was simpler leaving it as an example, rather than going into the origins or endonuclease's and sticky vs blunt, vectors etc etc etc

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: tangoblue on 06/08/2010 18:37:40

Damn, i knew it was one or the other.

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: DoryT on 09/08/2010 06:11:06

Is restriction enzymes the only way to "cut" DNA?

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: sittingoverhere on 11/08/2010 07:17:53

As far as i am aware its the only way to cut DNA with any specificity. DNA will break when exposed to tearing and shearing forces but it would happen randomly.

Title: How can we cut DNA?
Post by: DoryT on 12/08/2010 06:17:03

Quote from: sittingoverhere on 11/08/2010 07:17:53

As far as i am aware its the only way to cut DNA with any specificity. DNA will break when exposed to tearing and shearing forces but it would happen randomly.

Gotcha.