Explain how insulin can be produced using recombinant DNA technology

Explanation

The first major product of genetic engi-neering was human insulin. It can be produced using recombinant DNA technology by following steps :
(i) The gene responsible for producing human insulin protein is isolated. The gene is part of the DNA in a human chromosome.
(ii) Then, a circular piece of DNA called a plasmid is removed from a bacterial cell. Special enzymes are used to cut the plasmid ring.
(iii) With the open plasmid ring, the gene for insulin is inserted into the plasmid ring and the ring is closed. This process is called recombinant technology.
(iv) The bacterial DNA now contains the human insulin gene and is inserted into a bacteria.

(v) Many plasmids with the insulin gene are inserted into many bacterial cells. When the bacterial cells reproduce by dividing, the human insulin gene is also reproduced in the newly created cells.
(vi) Human insulin protein molecules produced by bacteria are gathered and purified. By culturing the genetically engineered bacteria, limitless supplies of insulin may be produced.