recombinant dna technology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “recombinant dna technology” mean?
The laboratory techniques used to cut, modify, and join together DNA molecules from different sources to create new genetic sequences.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The laboratory techniques used to cut, modify, and join together DNA molecules from different sources to create new genetic sequences.
A cornerstone field of modern biotechnology and genetic engineering, enabling the production of proteins (like insulin), gene therapy, GMOs, and advanced biological research by artificially recombining genetic material.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling follows regional conventions for related words (e.g., 'technology', 'genetic').
Connotations
Identical technical and scientific connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both regions, confined to scientific, academic, and biotech industry contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “recombinant dna technology” in a Sentence
[Subject] uses recombinant DNA technology to [verb] [object].Recombinant DNA technology enables [noun phrase].The development of recombinant DNA technology revolutionized [field].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “recombinant dna technology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team will utilise recombinant DNA technology to engineer the yeast.
- They are researching how to better apply recombinant DNA technology.
American English
- The lab will leverage recombinant DNA technology to modify the crop.
- They are exploring how to optimally employ recombinant DNA technology.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form. Periphrasis used: 'using recombinant DNA technology'].
- The gene was inserted, using recombinant DNA technology, into the plasmid.
American English
- [No standard adverbial form. Periphrasis used: 'via recombinant DNA technology'].
- The protein was produced, via recombinant DNA technology, in bacteria.
adjective
British English
- A recombinant-DNA-technology-based approach was crucial.
- The recombinant DNA technology revolution began in the 1970s.
American English
- A recombinant-DNA-technology-driven process was developed.
- The recombinant DNA technology field is highly regulated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in biotech/pharma corporate reports, investment analyses, and patents regarding product development pipelines.
Academic
Core subject in molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry textbooks, research papers, and university courses.
Everyday
Rarely used. Might appear in simplified news articles about GMOs, medical breakthroughs, or ethical debates.
Technical
Precise term in laboratory protocols, scientific methodologies, and regulatory documents (e.g., FDA, EMA guidelines).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “recombinant dna technology”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “recombinant dna technology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “recombinant dna technology”
- Incorrect pluralisation (e.g., 'recombinant DNAs technology').
- Using it as an adjective for the product instead of the process (e.g., 'This is a recombinant DNA technology protein' is awkward; better: 'This protein is produced using recombinant DNA technology.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The production of human insulin. The human insulin gene is inserted into bacteria (like E. coli), which are then grown in large fermenters to produce insulin for diabetics.
They are related but distinct. Recombinant DNA technology creates novel DNA sequences. Cloning (DNA/gene cloning) is a specific application of it to make many identical copies of a recombinant DNA molecule inside a host cell.
The key breakthroughs occurred in the early 1970s, pioneered by scientists like Paul Berg, Herbert Boyer, and Stanley Cohen.
Major international scientific bodies (like WHO, FAO) state that currently approved GM foods developed using this technology are as safe as their conventional counterparts. Safety is assessed on a case-by-case basis before market approval.
Recombinant dna technology is usually formal / technical / scientific in register.
Recombinant dna technology: in British English it is pronounced /riːˌkɒm.bɪ.nənt ˌdiː.enˈeɪ tekˈnɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /riˌkɑːm.bə.nənt ˌdiː.enˈeɪ tekˈnɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 're-combine' – the technology re-combines DNA from different sources, like cutting and pasting text from different documents to create a new one.
Conceptual Metaphor
DNA AS A LANGUAGE/TEXT (splicing words/sentences); GENETIC ENGINEERING AS TOOLKIT (using enzymatic 'scissors' and 'glue'); RECOMBINANT DNA AS A HYBRID/CHIMERA.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of recombinant DNA technology?