Genetic engineering is the modification of an organism's phenotype by manipulating its genetic material. Some genetic engineering uses the principle of recombination.

Recombination is the process by which a new gene is inserted into the bacterial DNA "plasmid". DNA needs to be cut with an enzyme called a restriction enzyme. The restriction enzyme used must have a special shape that allows it to move along the DNA to be cut. 

The restriction enzyme looks for a specific spot in the DNA sequence where it will cut the DNA. When the restriction enzyme is cut, it leaves a "Sticky end" at that point that helps a new gene attach. Another enzyme is used to insert the new DNA segment; this is called "DNA ligase". The genetically modified bacterium is cultured and many new copies of the bacterium with the new gene are grown. Genetic modifications can be made in both plants and animals.

Agrobacterium is bacteria that uses Horizontal gene transfer (HGT). HGT is the transfer of DNA between different genomes [Pop up: A genome is the complete set of genetic material found in an organism]. HGT can occur in bacteria by transformation, conjugation, and transduction. However, although the mechanism of this transfer is not well understood, it is also possible for HGT to occur between eukaryotes and bacteria.

Bacteria have three ways of transferring bacteria between cells:

• Transformation: The uptake and incorporation of external DNA into the cell thereby causing the genome to be altered.
• Conjugation: The exchange of genetic material through cell-to-cell contact of two bacterial cells. A plasmid DNA sequence is transferred to the recipient cell, and the donor cell then synthesizes the DNA to replace the strand transferred to the recipient cell.
• Transduction: A piece of bacterial DNA is transported from one bacterial cell to another by a bacteriophage. The bacteriophage infects a bacterial cell and takes up the bacterial DNA. When this phage infects another cell, it transfers the bacterial DNA to the new cell. The bacteria can then become part of the new host cell.

Agrobacterium also has the ability to transfer DNA between itself and plants and is therefore widely used in genetic engineering.

Do not hesitate to contact our expert team to get detailed information about the GMO Free and NON GMO label and certification, or to apply for certification.