I know that to modify an organism genetically, a process known as gene-splicing is used, in which, a section of DNA is removed from one organism is removed from a different species' DNA and, essentially, transplanted the segment of the desired gene in the knew strand of DNA. (e.g. swapping genes of a flower's roots to that of a dry-regional plant for less watering required.) Though, my question is: How exactly are these segments of DNA connected to the other strand. Base pairs are connected with hydrogen bonds, but what is used to connect the 5-carbon sugar and phosphate again? Is there a special process? Thanks! I've always been curious as to how this is accomplished.
Subcloning requires the ligation or covalent bond joining insert segment ends with the ends of a plasmid vector. There is an enzyme called DNA ligase that does this process. Ligase helps the covalent phosphodiester bond form between the 3'-hydroxyl of one DNA end with the 5'-phosphoryl end of another piece of DNA. The matching overhangs of the restriction enzyme cuts match up and the ligase makes the strands unite. Companies like Boehringer Mannheim &Qiagen provide kits with the enzyme and buffer to make the reaction easier.