Bacterial
Recombinant
DNA
Technology
It
is
genetically
possible
to "tailor" the
microorganisms
for
the
production
of
any
microbial
metabolite
vitamin,
amino
acid
or
enzyme.
Gene
cloning
extends
the
genome
of
the
microorganism
by
allowing
the
introduction
of
novel
genes
from
comparatively
unrelated
species.
The
cloning
of
genes
from
higher
eukaryotes,
particularly
from
man
and
his
domestic
animals,
has
been
seen
to
offer
even
greater
industrial
potential.
Which
microbes
should
then
be
used
as
universal
recipients
for
such
genes
and
hence
as
production
organisms.
The
two
most
ideal
are
the
prokaryote,
Escherichia
coli
and
the
eukaryote,
Saccharomyces
cerevisiae.
Some
proteins
could
be
obtained
on
large
scale
through
fermentation
by
methods,
relatively
more
cheaper
than
the
conventional
ones.
For
example,
human
growth
hormone
was
previously
extracted
from
the
pituitary
gland
of
cadavers
and
was
mostly
in
short
supply.
Now,
increase
in
supply
should
help
more
patients.
Equally
important
is
the
development
of
new
vaccincs
through
gene
cloning.
Genes
for
single
antigens
can
be
cloned
and
expressed
by
bacteria
and
a
purified
antigen
which
has
not
been
derived
directly
from
the
pathogenic
organism
or
virus
may
be
used
as
a
vaccine.
In
this
way,
vaccines
for
viral
hepatitis
and
foot
and
mouth
disease
have
been
developed.
|