What are the roles of viruses and bacteria in genetic engineering?

I am having trouble with this question can you help me please? thanks

What are the roles of viruses and bacteria in genetic engineering?norton 2008

Ok, so I'll assume that you know what genetic engineering is.

Bacteria first. One important microorganism is Escherichia coli, commonly referred to as E. coli. The biochemistry and genetics of E. coli are well known, and its DNA has been isolated and made to accept new genes. The DNA can then be forced into fresh E. coli cells and the bacteria will begin to produce the proteins specified by the foreign genes. Now that the bacteria is altered, it can be used to manufacture proteins (e.g. hormones) that it normally couldn't produce.

Now about viruses. Viruses are fragments of nucleic acid surrounded by a protein coat. By attaching DNA to viruses, scientists use viruses to transport foreign DNA into cells and to connect it with the nucleic acid of the cells. With the new DNA, the cells are essentially reprogrammed to perform functions that it couldn't otherwise do.

So as you can see, bacteria and viruses can play very important roles in genetic engineering.

What are the roles of viruses and bacteria in genetic engineering?pop up blocker

virus's have the ability to "splice" bits of genetic material into an organism's reproductive structure