Australian conventions and resources
The following organisations provide general information on recombinant DNA technology:
Terms to watch out for:
bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biotechnology
gene technology, genetic engineering, genetic modification, gene therapy
Restriction enzymes
The restriction endonucleases and exonucleases (collectively known as restriction enzymes) used in DNA cloning are named after the bacteria they were discovered in, usually followed by a capital letter and/or roman numeral. Use italics for the bacterial abbreviation:
HindIII EcoRI SmaI BamHI
Restriction enzymes are one of type I, type II or type III. Type II enzymes are the most useful in subcloning.
Vectors
Vectors (transfer agents) for DNA cloning are most commonly plasmids, phages, cosmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs), yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) or mammalian artificial chromosome (MACs).
Commerically available plasmids are denoted by a lower case p, followed by the plasmid name:
pUC18 pBR322
Because many vectors are customised for a particular use, there is no common naming convention for them.
Genetically modified organisms and products
Use lower case, and add an s to the abbreviation for the plural:
genetically modified organism (GMO) genetically modified organisms (GMOs) GM plants GM products
Reminder. Just because the abbreviation of a term is made up of capitals, it does not mean that the term has initial capitals when it is spelt out.
Describing genetic modifications
Use lower case for terms describing either the function or appearance of a genetically modified organism:
insect-resistant corn golden rice
Use initial capitals for trade names of genetic modifications, but not for the organism that has been modified:
Roundup Ready corn GlyTol cotton Liberty Link rice
Cloning
Many biotechnology methods involve cloning. Cloning refers to replicating and propagating the genomic makeup of an organism, either partially or completely.
There are several different types of cloning, and it is important to be clear about which one you are referring to.