Recombinant DNA manipulations and their interfaces with protein technology

In recent years molecular biologists have learnt to mimic and exploit the natural processes of cell biology which are based on the fundamental principle that the amino acid sequence of a protein is encoded within the nucleotide sequence of DNA in its gene. The resultant set of novel methodologies, termed recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering, has revolutionized the study of almost all branches of biology and has presented radical new methods of producing proteins otherwise available only in very small quantities. Central technical features of the recombinant DNA technology are the ability to isolate and propagate individual genes from natural sources, and to express into the protein products the information intrinsic to such genes, using the most appropriate biological production systems (e.g. bacteria, yeast or cultured mammalian cells). Embracing powerful analytical techniques such as DNA sequencing, and novel gene manipulations based on chemically synthesized oligonucleotides, the recombinant DNA technology is now having substantial impact on analytical and preparative protein technologies. The contemporary integrated approach to protein engineering involves not only protein chemistry and tools such as antibodies, but also has a dynamic interactive contribution from the recombinant DNA technology and its gene manipulation and expression skills. This integrated approach is particularly relevant to blood components such as clotting factors, antibodies, hormones and other proteins or peptides of powerful biological activity and specificity. Current work is focussed on the large-scale production of individual proteins as well as the molecular dissection of their biological actions and the development of products displaying novel biological activity.