Vector (molecular biology): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 05:49, 16 February 2025

Vector (molecular biology)[edit]

In molecular biology, a vector is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic material into another cell, where it can be replicated and/or expressed. A vector containing foreign DNA is termed a recombinant DNA molecule. The four major types of vectors are plasmids, viral vectors, cosmids, and artificial chromosomes.

Types of Vectors[edit]

Plasmids[edit]

Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that are distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA. They are commonly used as vectors in genetic engineering because they can replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are often used to clone DNA fragments in bacterial cells. The pBR322 plasmid, depicted in the image, is one of the first widely used cloning vectors.

Viral Vectors[edit]

Viral vectors are tools commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). Viruses have evolved specialized molecular mechanisms to efficiently transport their genomes inside the cells they infect. This makes them attractive tools for gene therapy and vaccination.

Cosmids[edit]

Cosmids are hybrid plasmid-bacteriophage vectors that can carry larger DNA fragments than standard plasmids. They are used to clone large DNA fragments (up to 45 kb) and are useful in genomic library construction.

Artificial Chromosomes[edit]

Artificial chromosomes, such as bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) and yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), are used to clone very large DNA fragments. BACs can carry inserts of 100-300 kb, while YACs can carry inserts of up to 1 Mb. These vectors are used in genome mapping and sequencing projects.

Applications[edit]

Vectors are essential tools in biotechnology and molecular biology. They are used in a variety of applications, including:

Related pages[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Vector (molecular biology)'''
+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Vector (molecular biology)}}
-In [[molecular biology]], a '''vector''' refers to a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic material into another cell, where it can be replicated and/or expressed. A vector containing foreign DNA is termed '''recombinant DNA'''. The four major types of vectors are [[plasmid]]s, [[viral vectors]], [[cosmids]], and [[artificial chromosomes]]. Each of these vectors has its own advantages and limitations in terms of capacity for genetic material, ease of manipulation, and efficiency of transformation. Vectors are chosen based on the specific needs of the molecular biology project.
+== Vector (molecular biology) ==
-==Types of Vectors==
+[[File:PBR322_color.svg|thumb|right|300px|Diagram of the pBR322 plasmid, a commonly used cloning vector.]]
-===Plasmids===
-[[Plasmid]]s are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that are distinct from the chromosomal DNA. They are most commonly found in bacteria but can also be found in archaea and eukaryotic organisms. Plasmids are capable of independent replication and are used extensively in the laboratory for the manipulation of genes. They are particularly useful for cloning small to medium-sized genes, gene expression studies, and generating transgenic organisms.
-===Viral Vectors===
+In [[molecular biology]], a '''vector''' is a DNA molecule used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic material into another cell, where it can be replicated and/or expressed. A vector containing foreign DNA is termed a recombinant DNA molecule. The four major types of vectors are plasmids, viral vectors, cosmids, and artificial chromosomes.
-[[Viral vectors]] are tools commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). Viral vectors take advantage of the natural ability of a virus to inject its DNA or RNA into a host cell. By replacing the viral genome with the gene of interest, researchers can use the virus as a mechanism to get genetic material into the cells of the organism they are studying.
-===Cosmids===
+== Types of Vectors ==
-[[Cosmids]] are plasmid vectors that contain a small portion of bacteriophage λ DNA, which allows them to be packaged into λ phage particles for infection into E. coli. This method can increase the efficiency of DNA introduction. Cosmids can carry larger DNA fragments than plasmids, typically up to 45 kilobases, making them suitable for genomic library construction and physical mapping efforts.
-===Artificial Chromosomes===
+=== Plasmids ===
-[[Artificial chromosomes]], such as bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) and yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), are vectors designed to carry large DNA fragments. BACs can carry DNA fragments of up to 300 kilobases, while YACs can carry up to 1 megabase of foreign DNA. These vectors are essential for mapping and sequencing large genomes, such as the human genome, and for the study of large gene clusters.
-==Applications==
+Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules that are distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA. They are commonly used as vectors in [[genetic engineering]] because they can replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmids are often used to clone DNA fragments in [[bacterial]] cells. The pBR322 plasmid, depicted in the image, is one of the first widely used cloning vectors.
-Vectors are used in a wide range of applications in molecular biology, including:
-* Gene cloning
-* Gene therapy
-* Creation of transgenic organisms
-* Functional analysis of genes
-* Vaccine development
-==Choosing a Vector==
+=== Viral Vectors ===
-The choice of vector for a particular project depends on several factors, including:
-* The size of the DNA to be cloned
-* The host organism to be transformed
-* The need for expression of the cloned gene
-* The requirement for stable or transient gene expression
-==Safety Considerations==
+Viral vectors are tools commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism (in vivo) or in cell culture (in vitro). Viruses have evolved specialized molecular mechanisms to efficiently transport their genomes inside the cells they infect. This makes them attractive tools for [[gene therapy]] and [[vaccination]].
-The use of vectors, particularly viral vectors, in research and therapy is subject to strict safety and ethical considerations. The potential for insertional mutagenesis, immune response, and the possibility of generating replication-competent viruses are important factors that must be addressed.
+=== Cosmids ===
+Cosmids are hybrid plasmid-bacteriophage vectors that can carry larger DNA fragments than standard plasmids. They are used to clone large DNA fragments (up to 45 kb) and are useful in [[genomic library]] construction.
+=== Artificial Chromosomes ===
+Artificial chromosomes, such as [[bacterial artificial chromosome]]s (BACs) and [[yeast artificial chromosome]]s (YACs), are used to clone very large DNA fragments. BACs can carry inserts of 100-300 kb, while YACs can carry inserts of up to 1 Mb. These vectors are used in [[genome mapping]] and [[sequencing]] projects.
+== Applications ==
+Vectors are essential tools in [[biotechnology]] and [[molecular biology]]. They are used in a variety of applications, including:
+* [[Gene cloning]]
+* [[Gene expression]]
+* [[Gene therapy]]
+* [[Vaccine development]]
+* [[Protein production]]
+== Related pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Recombinant DNA]]
+* [[Genetic engineering]]
 * [[Gene therapy]]
-* [[Transgenic organism]]
+* [[Plasmid]]
-* [[Molecular cloning]]
+* [[Gene cloning]]
 [[Category:Molecular biology]]
 [[Category:Genetic engineering]]
-{{Molecular-biology-stub}}