Genetic libraries allow researchers to study genes and proteins from organisms. There are two main types of genetic libraries: genomic libraries and cDNA libraries. To build a genomic library, genomic DNA is extracted from an organism and cleaved into fragments using restriction enzymes. These fragments are then inserted into plasmids which are introduced into bacteria, allowing amplification of the complete genome. A cDNA library focuses only on expressed genes. mRNA is extracted and converted to cDNA, then inserted into lambda phages which infect bacteria for replication. The library can then be screened using probes to isolate specific DNA fragments of interest.