A genomic DNA library is made up of an organism’s total genomic DNA information. It is constructed by cloning the entire genome of a cell in the form of random and unidentifiable clones. The chain termination method is used to sequence the DNA molecules. These are the steps used to construct a genomic library from a large genome:
- DNA is extracted and purified.
- The purified DNA is digested with a restriction enzyme to create similar-sized fragments, each containing one or more genes.
- The DNA fragments are inserted into vectors that were cut using the same restriction enzymes.
- The enzyme DNA ligase is used to seal the DNA fragments into the vector, creating a large number of recombinant molecules.
- The host bacterium takes up the recombinant molecules by transformation, creating a genomic DNA library.