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Vectors

Vectors are essentially carrier DNA molecules in possession of the following properties:

• They must be able to replicate independently.

• They should contain a number of restriction enzyme cleavage sites. These are the sites where restriction enzymes will cut and the foreign DNA inserted.

• They should carry selectable markers (in the form of antibiotic resistance gene) to distinguish host cells that carry the vectors and host cells that do not contain the vectors.

Plasmids are the most often used vectors. They are small, circular, dispensable genetic elements that are found in most bacteria cells.  They can be beneficial to host cell, since it can provide drug or heavy metal resistance or produce some toxic protein. 

pBR322 is the most commonly used plasmid. It has 2 selectable marker genes (one conferring resistance to antibiotic tetracycline and the other confers resistance to antibiotic ampicillin) and a number of unique sites for restriction enzymes to cut. 

Relating Topics
- Restriction Enzyme
- Overview of the Structure of DNA

Recombinant DNA Technology

Table of Contents:
› Vectors
Steps Involved in Making Recombinant DNA
› 1. Recombination
› 2. Transformation
› 3. Identification
› 4. Colony Hybridisation