Recombinant DNA

Recombinant DNA molecules are DNA molecules that were engineered into an organism using molecular cloning techniques. Recombinant DNA usually contains genetic material from multiple sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in biological organisms. Recombinant DNA is possible because DNA molecules from all organisms share the same chemical structure. They differ only in the nucleotide sequence within that identical overall structure.

Recombinant DNA technology can be used to engineer single genes or complex biological circuits into cells. To genetically modify a cell with recombinant DNA a vector is used as a molecular vehicle.