Preparing Lambda Libraries for Expression of Proteins in Prokaryotes or Eukaryotes

Complementary DNA (cDNA) libraries represent the information encoded in the messenger RNA (mRNA) of a particular tissue or organism. RNA molecules are exceptionally labile and difficult to amplify in their natural form. For this reason, a cDNA library is created by converting the information encoded by the RNA into a stable DNA duplex (cDNA) and then inserting it into a self-replicating lambda or plasmid vector. Individual cDNA representing the original genetic information can be isolated from the cDNA library and examined with relative ease.