Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

9.9K
Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
9.9K
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

6.1K
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
6.1K
The Central Dogma01:20

The Central Dogma

23.5K
The central dogma explains the flow of genetic information from DNA nucleotides to the amino acid sequence of proteins.
RNA is the Missing Link Between DNA and Proteins
In the early 1900s, scientists discovered that DNA stores all the information needed for cellular functions and that proteins perform most of these functions. However, the mechanisms of converting genetic information into functional proteins remained unknown for many years. Initially, it was believed that a single gene is...
23.5K
Restriction Enzymes01:11

Restriction Enzymes

31.1K
Restriction enzymes are bacterial enzymes used to cut DNA in a sequence-specific manner. To cleave DNA, they bind to specific palindromic sequences called restriction sites. Such palindromic DNA sequences or inverted repeats are commonly found in regions of functional significance, such as the origin of replication, gene operator sites, and regions containing transcription termination signals.
The host bacteria protect their own genomic DNA from these enzymes by methylating these sites. Some...
31.1K
Exon Recombination02:32

Exon Recombination

3.7K
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
3.7K
Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms02:18

Types of Genetic Transfer Between Organisms

5.4K
5.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Highly mutagenic continuous evolution in E. coli using a Φ29-based orthogonal replication system.

Nature biotechnology·2026
Same author

High-fidelity human chromosome transfer and elimination.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

<i>Escherichia coli</i> with a 57-codon genetic code.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Genetic Code-Locking Confers Stable Virus Resistance to a Recoded Organism.

Biochemistry·2025
Same author

Germline-Somatic Liaison Dictates Cancer Subtypes via de novo Steroid Biosynthesis.

Cancer discovery·2025
Same author

The IclR-family transcriptional regulator XyrR controls flotation, motility, antibiotic production and virulence in <i>Serratia</i> sp. ATCC 39006.

Frontiers in microbiology·2025
Same journal

A native sulfur deposit in Gale crater, Mars.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Coordinated demise of harmful algal blooms.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Genetic effects put into context.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Bacteria share proteins to survive antibiotics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Impacts shaped Earth's first continents.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Erratum for the Report "Covalently bonded single-molecule junctions with stable and reversible photoswitched conductivity" by C. Jia <i>et al</i>.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays
14:06

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays

Published on: November 12, 2012

46.5K

Refactored genetic codes enable bidirectional genetic isolation.

Jérôme F Zürcher1, Wesley E Robertson1, Tomás Kappes2

  • 1Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 20, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers engineered synthetic genetic codes in *Escherichia coli* to prevent the spread of artificial DNA. This innovation creates orthogonal genetic codes and gene transfer systems, enhancing biosecurity against mobile genetic elements like viruses.

More Related Videos

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis
10:08

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

Published on: August 12, 2019

17.3K
Genetic Modification of Cyanobacteria by Conjugation Using the CyanoGate Modular Cloning Toolkit
08:25

Genetic Modification of Cyanobacteria by Conjugation Using the CyanoGate Modular Cloning Toolkit

Published on: October 31, 2019

16.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays
14:06

Mapping Bacterial Functional Networks and Pathways in Escherichia Coli using Synthetic Genetic Arrays

Published on: November 12, 2012

46.5K
Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis
10:08

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

Published on: August 12, 2019

17.3K
Genetic Modification of Cyanobacteria by Conjugation Using the CyanoGate Modular Cloning Toolkit
08:25

Genetic Modification of Cyanobacteria by Conjugation Using the CyanoGate Modular Cloning Toolkit

Published on: October 31, 2019

16.3K

Area of Science:

  • Synthetic Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The genetic code is nearly universal, dictating protein synthesis from DNA codons.
  • Ensuring the containment of synthetic genetic information is crucial for biosecurity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To refactor the genetic code structure in *Escherichia coli*.
  • To create orthogonal genetic codes and horizontal gene transfer systems.
  • To block the invasion of synthetic organisms by mobile genetic elements.

Main Methods:

  • Refactoring the genetic code structure in *Escherichia coli*.
  • Developing orthogonal and mutually orthogonal horizontal gene transfer systems.
  • Testing the efficacy of refactored codes against mobile genetic elements, including viruses.

Main Results:

  • Successfully created orthogonal genetic codes in *Escherichia coli*.
  • Established horizontal gene transfer systems that are specific to the engineered genetic codes.
  • Demonstrated complete blockage of mobile genetic element invasion, including viruses, in synthetic organisms with refactored codes.

Conclusions:

  • Refactored genetic codes provide a robust mechanism for containing synthetic genetic information.
  • Orthogonal gene transfer systems enhance the specificity of genetic exchange.
  • Engineered genetic codes offer a powerful strategy for biosecurity and preventing horizontal gene transfer from synthetic to natural life.