Exogenous DNA

Exogenous DNA strands (Red and Green) shown inside a cell's nucleus.

Exogenous DNA is DNA originating outside the organism of concern or study.[1] Exogenous DNA can be found naturally in the form of partially degraded fragments left over from dead cells. These DNA fragments may then become integrated into the chromosomes of nearby bacterial cells to undergo mutagenesis.[2] This process of altering bacteria is known as transformation.[3] Bacteria may also undergo artificial transformation through chemical and biological processes. The introduction of exogenous DNA into eukaryotic cells is known as transfection.[4] Exogenous DNA can also be artificially inserted into the genome, which revolutionized the process of genetic modification in animals. By microinjecting an artificial transgene into the nucleus of an animal embryo, the exogenous DNA is allowed to merge the cell's existing DNA to create a genetically modified, transgenic animal.[5] The creation of transgenic animals also leads into the study of altering sperm cells with exogenous DNA.[6]

  1. ^ "Exogenous DNA definition". groups.molbiosci.northwestern.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  2. ^ Hakansson, Anders P.; Marks, Laura R.; Roche-Hakansson, Hazeline (2015-01-01), Brown, Jeremy; Hammerschmidt, Sven; Orihuela, Carlos (eds.), "Chapter 7 - Pneumococcal Genetic Transformation During Colonization and Biofilm Formation", Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Amsterdam: Academic Press, pp. 129–142, ISBN 978-0-12-410530-0, retrieved 2021-10-28
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Dorlands Medical Dictionary:transfection". 2009-02-13. Archived from the original on 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  5. ^ Pritchett-Corning, Kathleen R.; Landel, Carlisle P. (2015-01-01), Fox, James G.; Anderson, Lynn C.; Otto, Glen M.; Pritchett-Corning, Kathleen R. (eds.), "Chapter 32 - Genetically Modified Animals", Laboratory Animal Medicine (Third Edition), American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Boston: Academic Press, pp. 1417–1440, ISBN 978-0-12-409527-4, retrieved 2021-10-28
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).