What is a genomic library?

A genomic library is a collection of examples of each DNA sequence found in a specific genome, also known as an organism’s hereditary information. A genomic library contains a large collection of white colonies.

A genomic library can be used as a resource to isolate colonies that contain any genes of an organism. To begin to create a genomic library, a sample of DNA is extracted from the cells of an organism. The DNA is then cut into gene size using at least one restriction enzyme. A cloning plasmid is then cut using the same restriction enzyme used to cut the DNA.