Overview
Recombinant Nucleic Acid Experiments
Recombinant Nucleic Acid (r/NA) molecules are DNA or RNA molecules formed by laboratory methods of genetic recombination (such as molecular cloning) to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in the natural genome.
Recombinant nucleic acid experiments involve taking a host plasmid, inserting a foreign gene of interest, and then using that plasmid to express the gene in a cell, microbe or organism.
This allows us to understand gene function in a living cell or organism. These techniques can also be used to allow us to visualize when and where a gene is expressed by including “reporter” genes such as GFP or luciferase.
This type of research is regulated under the NIH Guidelines when an institution receives funding for this type of research. The Guidelines state that the research must be reviewed and approved by a faculty committee of experts. This is the Institutional Biosafety Committee.