A transgenic organism is an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of one or more foreign DNA sequences from another species by artificial means/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms). The foreign DNA, also known as the transgene, can be DNA from another species or recombinant DNA from the same species that has been manipulated in the laboratory then reintroduced/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms). The terms transgenic organism and genetically modified organism (GMO) are generally synonymous/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms).
Transgenic organisms are generated in the laboratory for research purposes/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms). They are important research tools and are often used when exploring a genes function/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms). Transgenic animals have been generated to understand normal physiological processes such as metabolism and blood cell production. They have also been used to model human diseases and to develop new treatments/08%3A_Techniques_of_Molecular_Genetics/8.08%3A__Transgenic_organisms). Transgenic crops have been produced that are resistant to infectious diseases and grow faster.
Creating a transgenic organism is a multi-step process. Genetic engineers must isolate the gene they wish to insert into the host organism. This gene can be taken from a cell or artificially synthesized. The gene is then combined with other genetic elements, including a promoter and terminator region and a selectable marker. The combined genetic elements are then inserted into the host organisms genome using a variety of techniques.
In summary, a transgenic organism is an organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of foreign DNA sequences from another species by artificial means. They are generated in the laboratory for research purposes and are important research tools.
