cDNA Synthesis and Cloning

Abstract

Majority of plant viruses contain single-stranded RNA as their genome. When genome sequence information of the virus is lacking, RT-PCR cannot be employed to amplify the viral genome. In such cases in order to characterize viral genomes, they have to be first converted into complementary DNA (cDNA) using reverse transcriptase enzyme and oligo d(T) or random primers. The cDNA is then made double stranded and ligated to a vector (usually a plasmid). The ligated vector is used to transform bacteria so that recombinant vector multiplies in the bacterium. The positive recombinant vector carrying viral insert is then identified and confirmed by different methods including sequencing. The identified recombinant clones can be stored in glycerol or long-term storage can be done through lyophilization.