Definition of Recombinant Type

There are many recombinant types. Recombinant DNA, recombinant vaccine and recombinant proteins are all recombinant types, among many others. All recombinants are artificial combinations of micro-cellular technology, in which one DNA segment of one organism (a single gene or multiple genes) is combined into the DNA molecule of a completely different species.

Basic Definitions

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule determining the hereditary characteristics in humans and other organisms. DNA consists of two long nucleotide chains twisted into a double helix and joined by hydrogen bonds between the combinations of adenine and thymine or cytosine and guanine. The sequences of the nucleotides determine individual hereditary characteristics.

  Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a basic nucleic acid molecule similar to DNA, but containing ribose, rather than deoxyribose.

  Another term used is genetic engineering, which is the science of changing and causing reproduction of these genes asexually 1. to produce a new characteristic in a life form, or 2. to cause production of a biological substance, such as a protein or hormone. This process is also recombinant DNA technique.

Technology

• Recombinant DNA technology is a mixture of scientific laboratory techniques developed during the period from 1969 to 1980 that includes splitting the DNA strands of a species; identification of specific strands of DNA or RNA of an organism (or the genome); integration of a split fragment of DNA into the DNA of another completely different species; growing that combined DNA, so it can be replicated numerous times; identifying the replicated DNA to be certain that is the DNA type variant needed; and this genetic engineering resulting in the desired effect of the combination (for instance, size, color and enzyme activity.)

Recombinant Vaccine

• A recombinant vaccine is a stable uniform chemical mixture of killed or attenuated microbes developed through various recombinant techniques.

Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator

• A type of tissue plasminogen activator synthesized in the laboratory helps to dissolve blood clots in heart attacks and strokes.

Recombinant Human Insulin

• A type of insulin made with the aid of recombinant DNA (laboratory made) is completely identical to human insulin and used to treat (injectable) insulin-dependent diabetics allergic to the usual forms of insulin available for treatment.

Many Benefits

• There are also many recombinant proteins, but they are among many, many other types of recombinant substances. They all have many and varied uses, but all are laboratory creations. All have benefit to man in that they substitute where nature cannot, particularly when natural forms may cause injury.