Human Insulin Production

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Restriction Enzymes and Ligase

Restriction enzymes cut through DNA strands so that a section of DNA can be taken from a cell

Ligase enzymes can be used to join together sections of DNA cut by the same restriction enzyme

Plasmids and viruses can act as vectors, which take up pieces of DNA and then insert this recombinant (foreign) DNA into other cells

Human Insulin Production

Gene which causes insulin production is taken (using a restriction enzyme) and inserted into a plasmid, which is then inserted into a bacteria

The bacteria is then put into a fermenter with optimum conditions for reproduction

These bacteria produce human insulin which can be harvested to give to humans with Type 1 diabetes.