Recombinant DNA (Molecular Cloning)

Demonstration that DNA fragments from different sources -- cut with the same restriction enzyme (see the linked precursor node) -- can be spliced together in vitro and the resulting hybrid plasmid propagated in bacteria as a stable, biologically functional replicon. Cohen, Chang, Boyer & Helling, "Construction of Biologically Functional Bacterial Plasmids In Vitro" (PNAS 70, 3240-3244, 1973-11-01, OpenAlex W1995924881, 1,786 citations). The founding technique of the entire biotechnology industry -- Genentech, founded 1976 by Boyer and Robert Swanson, was the first company built directly on it, followed by the first recombinant-protein drug (human insulin, Genentech/Eli Lilly, approved 1982).