What are the underlying biological concepts in gene cloning?
The human genome project has allowed us to decipher the code of human DNA. In order to clone a gene we must first know the sequence of amino acids that make up that gene. This is what the human genome project has given us. Next we must insert the gene into a vector (another cell most of the time) that is capable of reproducing that gene. An excess of amino acids and a polymerase enzyme is required. Next the gene is copied many times by a process called PCR.This is the basics of gene cloning. It has many applications from the treatment of hereditary conditions to the production and purification of specific proteins that are used in many fields.