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AAT Bioquest

Why is the genetic code's universality so crucial for biotechnological applications?

Posted April 12, 2024


Answer

The genetic code’s universality is crucial for biotechnological applications for several reasons. Genetic code engineering involves altering or evolving the cellular processes within an organism to enable the incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (NCAAs) into the organism's proteome. This process can occur either on a broader scale or specific sites within proteins. This technique is crucial for biotechnological applications, as it allows researchers to create novel proteins with desired properties or functions. Another reason is it allows for the transfer of genetic material between different species. This allows researchers to use genes from one organism and express them in another, facilitating the production of desired proteins or traits in a host organism. Biotechnological processes also often involve DNA cloning and expressing genes of interest. The universal genetic code ensures that the same DNA sequence will produce the same protein in different organisms, through using recombinant DNA methods.

Additional resources

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