Modern Applications of Microbial Genetics (Microbiology)

Recall cards on the modern applications of microbial genetics. The tools of genetic engineering: recombinant DNA and molecular cloning, restriction enzymes and sticky versus blunt ends, DNA ligase, plasmid vectors, the multiple cloning site, selectable markers, pUC19 and blue-white screening, transformation and competence, F plasmids and phagemids, genomic and cDNA libraries, transfection methods (electroporation, microinjection, gene guns), shuttle vectors, the Ti plasmid, and viral vectors. Visualizing and characterizing DNA, RNA, and protein: agarose gel electrophoresis, ethidium bromide, pulsed-field gels, RFLP, DNA probes and hybridization, Southern, Northern, and colony blots, microarrays, the polymerase chain reaction and its denaturation, annealing, and extension steps, Taq polymerase, RT-PCR and qPCR, Sanger and next-generation sequencing, GenBank, PAGE and SDS-PAGE, and NAATs, ribotyping, and rep-PCR. Whole genome methods: transcriptomics, proteomics, metagenomics, pharmacogenomics, and metabolomics, reverse genetics, reporter genes, and biomarkers, plus pharmaceutical applications (recombinant insulin, growth hormone, Factor VIII, and tPA, subunit vaccines, and RNA interference with siRNA, miRNA, Dicer, and RISC). And gene therapy: adenovirus vectors, SCID and adenosine deaminase deficiency, the death of Jesse Gelsinger, insertional mutagenesis, somatic versus germline therapy, and regulation.