Recombinant-DNA (rDNA) technology—the way in which genetic material from one organism is artificially introduced into the genome of another organism and then replicated and expressed by that other organism—was invented largely through the work of Herbert W. Boyer, Stanley N.

Recombinant DNA technology and its discovery

Recombinant DNA technology, also known as genetic engineering, is a technique used to manipulate and transfer genetic material between different organisms. It has revolutionized the field of biotechnology and has numerous applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.

The discovery of recombinant DNA technology is attributed to Hargobind Khorana, James D. Watson, S. Kohen, and H. Boyer. Each of them made significant contributions to the development of this technology.

Hargobind Khorana:
Hargobind Khorana was an Indian-American biochemist who played a crucial role in deciphering the genetic code and synthesizing artificial genes. In 1961, Khorana and his team were the first to synthesize a functional gene, specifically a synthetic RNA molecule. This achievement laid the foundation for the development of recombinant DNA technology.

James D. Watson:
James D. Watson, along with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins, is credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA. Their groundbreaking work on the double helix structure of DNA in 1953 provided the fundamental understanding of how genetic information is stored and transmitted. Watson's contribution to the field of genetics laid the groundwork for the development of recombinant DNA technology.

S. Kohen and H. Boyer:
Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer were the first scientists to successfully demonstrate the creation of recombinant DNA molecules. In 1972, Cohen and Boyer used enzymes to cut DNA molecules from different sources and then recombined them to form a hybrid DNA molecule. This was achieved by using restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sites and then using ligases to join the DNA fragments together. This breakthrough allowed the transfer of genetic material between organisms, enabling the creation of genetically modified organisms.

Conclusion:
Recombinant DNA technology was discovered through the combined efforts of Hargobind Khorana, James D. Watson, S. Kohen, and H. Boyer. Khorana's work in synthesizing artificial genes, Watson's contribution to understanding the structure of DNA, and Cohen and Boyer's demonstration of creating recombinant DNA molecules were key milestones in the development of this technology. Their discoveries have paved the way for numerous advancements in biotechnology and continue to have a profound impact on various fields.