Molecular Cloning Definition

Molecular cloning is distinct from cell cloning and whole animal cloning in that the objective of the process is to allow the analysis and understanding of structure, function and regulation of individual genes.

DNA Library

Molecular cloning relies on an important resource known as a DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) library. The library is a complete collection of known DNA fragments, which when located inside a cloning vector can replicate if inserted in an appropriate host cell.

Library Types

A DNA library can either be a genomic library or a cDNA library; a genomic library contains cloned DNA that was derived from a gene fragment, whereas a cDNA library contains cloned DNA that was copied from mRNA (messenger ribonucleic acid).

Steps

The steps involved in molecular cloning are choosing the type of DNA (genomic DNA or cDNA), inserting the DNA into a vector, creating a DNA library, screening the library and creating an expression library.

DNA Production

For cloning, the required DNA has to be produced in large quantities. This mass production is done by bacteria and bacteriophages that replicate the required DNA in large numbers in a small amount of time.

Vector

In molecular biology, the term "vector" refers to a DNA molecule that can be used to transport new genetic material into a cell. Vectors used in molecular cloning are viral vectors and plasmid vectors.

References

• RVC: Molecular Cloning
• RVC: Molecular Cloning: Insertion of DNA into vector