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Gene Transfer

In gene transfer, foreign genetic material, either DNA or RNA, is introduced artificially or naturally into a cell. Gene transfer is often also referred to as transformation. It is one of the foundations of molecular biology. In the production of transgenic plants, gene transfer is a standard technique to replace one gene with a more adaptive one.

Viruses and bacteria transfer genes all the time; it is one of the ways they survive and adapt. Gene transfer was first effected artificially by Frederick Griffith in 1928, who immersed nonpathogenic pneumococcus bacteria in a bath of dead pathogenic bacteria, and created a virulent form of pneumococcus.

Today, gene transfer methods are typically more sophisticated, and involve processes like recombinant DNA through viral phages. Viruses make it simple to introduce foreign DNA material into the cell's cytoplasm, where it may be either degraded by cellular nucleases or recombined with the chromosomes via enzymes who think it is part of the cell's natural DNA. Scientists also use techniques like chilling in the presence of certain cations, making the cell temporarily porous when heat-shocked; or electroporation, which makes cells porous trough electric shock. Gene transfer may also be effected in animal cells through microinjection of embryonic cell nuclei.

Web Resources On Gene Transfer

What is gene therapy?
Recombinant DNA & Gene Transfer

Book Resources On Gene Transfer

Gene Transfer and Expression in Mammalian Cells by S.C. Makrides
Gene Transfer to Animal Cells by R. M. Twyman

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