Gene Cloning - an Overview The student is given an overview of what gene cloning is, general techniques used in gene cloning, and applications of gene cloning within pharmacy and pharmacology

Purification of DNA/RNA In this section, the student examines the experimental techniques used to purify the following types of DNA and RNA: total cell DNA, plasmid DNA (e.g. by alkaline denaturation, by EtBr-CsCl density gradient centrifugation), total RNA, and mRNA. The section also covers plasmid amplification.

Manipulation of DNA The student is introduced to the range of enzymes used in gene cloning. The enzymes covered are nucleases, polymerases, modifying enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, polynucleotide kinase, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase), topoisomerases and ligases (including their use in the production of blunt and sticky ends).

Restriction Enzymes The final section looks at the types of restriction enzymes and then goes on to discuss how restriction enzymes are used. The student can then attempt a workshop in which the student is asked to find and interpret results from restriction enzyme digestion using various restriction enzymes. The student's aim is to find out where the restriction enzyme cutting sites are on a selection of example DNA pieces.