Researched
Genetic engineering
Stanley Cohen and Herbert Boyer moved a gene from one organism into another using recombinant DNA.
Open in the interactive tree →Using restriction enzymes to cut DNA and ligases to join it, Cohen and Boyer put foreign DNA into bacteria in 1973; Paul Berg had built the first recombinant molecules in 1972. Genentech's recombinant human insulin (approved 1982) became the first genetically engineered drug. The 1975 Asilomar meeting set the first safety rules for the field.
Prerequisites
- Structure of DNA1953
- The genetic code1966
Unlocks
- Sanger DNA sequencing1977
- DNA fingerprinting1984
- PCR1985
- Green fluorescent protein1994
- Antiretroviral therapy (HIV)1996
- Cloning (Dolly the sheep)1996
- Genetically modified crops1996
- Optogenetics2005
- HPV vaccine2006
- Induced pluripotent stem cells2006
- CRISPR gene editing2012
- Checkpoint Immunotherapy2014–2018
- CAR-T cell therapy2017
- Gene Therapy (AAV Vectors)2017
- Precision fermentation2020
- mRNA technology2020
- GLP-1 weight-loss drugs2021
- Malaria Vaccines (RTS,S, R21)2021–2024RTS,S and R21 are recombinant protein vaccines made with genetic engineering
- RSV Vaccines & Antibodies2023Modern RSV vaccines are recombinant prefusion F proteins from genetic engineering
- Synthetic genomes2025