Recombinant DNA or rDNA is when one piece of DNA is combined with another strand of DNA. It is also sometimes refered to as chimeric DNA [1]. By combining two or more different strands of DNA, a new strand of DNA can be formed. This is especially common in combining the DNA of two different organisms. The DNA sequences used in the construction the rDNA can originate from any species. For example, plant DNA may be joined with bacterial DNA or human DNA may be joined with fungal DNA [2].
Essentially, these DNA sequences created through recombinant DNA processes can create DNA that do not occur anywhere in nature. Proteins that result from the expression of recombinant DNA within living cells are called recombinant proteins. The recombinant protein is not always produced. Expression of these foreign proteins requires the use of specialized expression vectors and and sometimes significant restructure by foreign coding sequence. rDNA is important in creating recombinant vaccines like Hepatitis B, prevention of sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and production of insulin[3].
1. The Basics of Recombinant DNA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/Projects00/rdna/rdna.html
2. Recombinant DNA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recombinant_DNA