Insulin - Basic Overview of Step-by-Step Genetic Engineering

Goal: make a human protein in a bacterial cell. (note: look up names of the components in italics in the Biotech dictionary if needed)

Extract out the messenger RNA (mRNA) from a minced up sample of a human pancreas. Use solvents to get rid of proteins (the proteins get scrambled up, but DNA and RNA are not affected). Most human mRNAs have a 'tail' composed of a string of Adenine bases (As) so use beads with a string of Thymidines (Ts) to make matching base pairs (remember that a A pairs with T while C pairs with G). This matching section causes the mRNA to stay stuck to the bead (affinity chromatography). Most DNA and non-mRNAs will not stick to the bead and are washed away. Then disrupt the A/T base pairs so mRNA does not stick to the bead and can recover the mRNA.