Applications of

Recombinant DNA
Technology in Medicine
Recombinant DNA Technology
 Is the technique of genetic engineering in which
recombinant DNA is prepared by cutting the DNA
into small fragments and joining different
fragments together taken from different
organisms. This technique makes it possible to
take any gene from any specie and place this
gene in any other organism or specie. It is similar
to cloning because when the foreign gene is
incorporated in an organism like bacteria then
multiple copies are made through cloning to use
the gene in different applications.
Insulin
Biotechnology
Relying on the study of DNA,
genomics analyzes entire
genomes, while biotechnology
uses biological agents for
technological advancements.
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Justify an overview of the field of biotechnology
 KEY TAKEAWAYS
 Key Points
 Genomics includes the study of a complete set of genes, their nucleotide sequence and
organization, and their interactions within a species and with other species.
 Through DNA sequencing, genomic information is used to create maps of the DNA of different
organisms.
 Biotechnology, or the use of biological agents for technological progression, has applications
in medicine, agriculture, and in industry, which include processes such as fermentation and
the production of biofuels.
 Key Terms
 genomics: the study of the complete genome of an organism
 sequencing: the procedure of determining the order of amino acids in the polypeptide chain of a
protein (protein sequencing) or of nucleotides in a DNA section comprising a gene (gene
sequencing)
 biotechnology: the use of living organisms (especially microorganisms) in industrial, agricultural,
medical, and other technological applications
 The study of nucleic acids began with the discovery of DNA,
progressed to the study of genes and small fragments, and has now
exploded to the field of genomics. Genomics is the study of entire
genomes, including the complete set of genes, their nucleotide
sequence and organization, and their interactions within a species
and with other species. The advances in genomics have been made
possible by DNA sequencing technology. Just as information
technology has led to Google maps that enable people to get
detailed information about locations around the globe, genomic
information is used to create similar maps of the DNA of different
organisms. These findings have helped anthropologists to better
understand human migration and have aided the field of medicine
through the mapping of human genetic diseases. The ways in
which genomic information can contribute to scientific
understanding are varied and quickly growing.