Question

2) Explain what these genes do: rfp ampR kanR

Answer 1

Answer:

Red fluorescent protein gene (rfp):

Used as fluorescent marker to identify a protein or particular gene sequence.

Ampicillin resistant gene (ampR):

Used to identify transformed colonies from untransformed ones.

Kanamycin resistant gene (kanR):

Used to identify transformed colonies from untransformed ones.

Explanation:

• Red fluorescent protein, originally discovered in the Anthozoan genus Discosoma, is a fluorescent chemical compound that emits fluorescence upon excitation. The red fluorescent protein, along with green, yellow and cyan fluorescent proteins, is used as a marker to identify particular proteins or genes. For example, if a plasmid with the desired gene of interest and an RFP is transformed into an expression system, RFP's fluorescence upon excitation can tell us whether the plasmid has successfully entered the cells.
• Ampicillin resistant gene (ampR) and kanamycin resistant gene (kanR) are both genes that confer resistance against the antibiotics ampicillin and kanamycin, respectively. In biotechnological techniques, antibiotic resistant genes are used for two purposes: 1. To make sure how many and which colonies have transformed. 2. To make sure that if exposed to antibiotic containing media, only the colonies with the antibiotic resistant genes and the gene of interest survive.