Gene cloning involves amplifying a specific piece of DNA using bacteria and inserting it into a cloning vector, which is a replicating DNA molecule with features like an origin of replication and antibiotic resistance gene that make it easier to insert foreign DNA into a cell. The vector with inserted DNA fragment is then transformed into host bacterial cells, which are treated with calcium chloride and heat shock to take up the DNA, and selectable markers help confirm if the cells were successfully transformed.

1. Cloning Genes
• Gene cloning: amplifying a specific piece of
DNA via a bacteria cell
• Cloning vector: a replicating DNA molecule
attached with a foreign DNA fragment to be
introduced into a cell
– Has features that make it easier to insert DNA and
select for presence of vector in cell.
• Origin of replication
• Antibiotic resistance gene
• Cloning site

3. Cloning Genes
• Plasmid vectors
• Linkers: synthetic DNA fragments containing
restriction sites
• Transformation of host cells with plasmids
• Selectable markers are used to confirm whether
the cells have been transformed or not.

9. TA cloning of PCR product

10. Bacterial transformation
•Use modified strain of E. coli
•Restriction system knocked out
•Recombination system limited
•LPS is truncated
Pores are made in cell membrane by
treatment with calcium chloride.
Cells must be kept cold to prevent pores
from closing

11. Bacterial transformation
•DNA added to cells forms intimate interaction
with membrane
•Briefly moved to 42° C to heat shock cells
•Stresses them and causes them to take up
DNA