Gene isolation

特許 権利維持 The first step is to find and isolate the gene that will be inserted into the genetically modified organism. Finding the right gene to insert usually draws on years of scientific research into the identity and function of useful genes. Presently, most genes transferred into plants provide protection against insects or tolerance to herbicides.[1] For example, the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis was first discovered in 1901 as the causative agent in the death of silkworms. Due to these insecticidal properties the bacteria was used as an biological insecticide, commercially developed in 1938. The cry proteins were discovered to provide the insecticidal activity in 1956 and by the 1980s scientists had successfully cloned the gene coding for this protein and expressed it in plants.