Question

Plasmid is boon to biotechnology, Justify this statement quoting the production of human insulin as an example.

Answer 1

Here you go :)

Plasmid is a self replicating extra chromosomal circular DNA found in the bacterial cell. As it can replicate within a bacterial cell, it is used as a vector in r-DNA technology.

Production of insulin polypeptide chains separately by plasmids of E.coli have enables artificial production of mature human insulin. Human insulin was first produced by Eli Lilly company. DNA sequences corresponding to the two polypeptides,A and B chains of insulin are synthesized in vitro. They are introduced into plasmid of E.coli. This is cloned under suitable conditions. The transgene is expressed in the form of polypeptides A and B, secreted into the medium. They are extracted and combined by creating disulphide bridge to form human insulin.