What is directed evolution?
Q: What is directed evolution?
A: Directed evolution (DE) is a method used to produce enzymes for industrial or medical purposes. It is a form of protein engineering which mimics natural selection.
Q: How does directed evolution work?
A: Directed evolution works by putting a gene through repeated rounds of mutation, creating a library of variants. Selection then isolates genes with the desired function, which are then used as templates for the next round.
Q: Where can directed evolution be done?
A: Directed evolution can be done in vivo (in living cells of bacteria or yeast), or in vitro (free in solution or microdroplets).
Q: What are the advantages of doing directed evolution in vivo?
A: Doing directed evolution in vivo has the advantage of selecting for properties in a cellular environment, which is useful when the evolved protein or RNA is to be used in living organisms.
Q: What are the advantages of doing directed evolution in vitro?
A: Doing directed evolution in vitro has the benefit of allowing more conditions (e.g. temperature, solvents) and it can express proteins that would be toxic to cells. Furthermore, it can generate far larger libraries because DNA need not be inserted into cells.
Q: What limits what can be done during an in vitro experiment?
A: The size limit on what can be done during an in vitro experiment is often determined by how much DNA needs to be inserted into cells.
