The following are instructions for the operation of the program. Basic controls in sequence are space and keys 1 through 5. The red/green dots represent the steps that you have completed. Generally, whenever you see that nothing is happening press the next number. --- --- --- When the restriction enzyme is over top of the target DNA strand "hit" the [space bar] (do not hold) and the end of the DNA will be cleaved (restart if nothing is separated). For demonstration purposes, there should be some DNA on the lead and some cut off. The steps in the polymerase chain reaction are simplified here and are abbreviated PCR. Here, it will automatically copy the target DNA. Pressing [1] will introduce the bacterial vector and the restriction enzyme will open the bacterial vector. Try moving the cursor within the beaker. Pressing [2] will cause the vector to become a linear molecule that can accept DNA. Drag the vector and DNA into a circle with a bit of a gap before proceeding. Pressing [3] causes DNA ligase to adhere to the target DNA and vector together. Pressing [4] suddenly-heats / applies a current to the bacterial culture to cause temporary pores to open. Pressing [5] allows the vector with the target DNA to enter the bacteria through its temporary pores. The bacteria may then exhibit the gene and pass this new DNA to its daughters.
Both images (bacteria cells) that are not my own and information used are from the following: Pūtaiao, Pokapū Akoranga. “How to Add Foreign DNA to Bacteria.” Science Learning Hub, 13 Mar. 2014, www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/527-how-to- add-foreign-dna-to-bacteria.
