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]

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+{{DISPLAYTITLE:Vector (molecular biology)}}
 == Vector (molecular biology) ==
-[[File:PBR322_color.svg|thumb|right|300px|Diagram of the pBR322 plasmid, a commonly used vector in molecular biology.]]
+[[File:PBR322_color.svg|thumb|right|300px|Diagram of the pBR322 plasmid, a commonly used cloning vector.]]
-A '''vector''' in [[molecular biology]] 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. Vectors are essential tools in [[genetic engineering]] and [[biotechnology]].
+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 ==
-Vectors can be classified into several types based on their function and the type of genetic material they carry:
+=== Plasmids ===
-* '''[[Plasmid]]s''': Circular DNA molecules that replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA. They are commonly used in [[cloning]] and [[gene expression]] studies.
+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 vector|Viral vectors]]''': Modified viruses that can deliver genetic material into cells. They are often used in [[gene therapy]] and [[vaccine]] development.
-* '''[[Cosmid]]s''': Hybrid vectors that combine features of plasmids and [[bacteriophage]]s, capable of carrying larger DNA fragments.
-* '''[[Artificial chromosome]]s''': Large vectors that can carry very large DNA fragments, used in [[genome mapping]] and [[sequencing]] projects.
-== Features of Vectors ==
+=== Viral Vectors ===
-Vectors typically contain several key features that facilitate their use in genetic engineering:
+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]].
-* '''Origin of replication (ori)''': A sequence that allows the vector to replicate within a host cell.
+=== Cosmids ===
-* '''Selectable marker genes''': Genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, allowing for the selection of cells that have taken up the vector.
-* '''Multiple cloning site (MCS)''': A region containing several restriction enzyme sites that allow for the insertion of foreign DNA.
+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.
-* '''Promoter sequences''': Regions that initiate transcription of the inserted gene, necessary for gene expression studies.
+=== 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 used in a wide range of applications in molecular biology and biotechnology:
+Vectors are essential tools in [[biotechnology]] and [[molecular biology]]. They are used in a variety of applications, including:
-* '''Gene cloning''': Vectors are used to clone genes by inserting them into host cells where they can be replicated.
+* [[Gene cloning]]
-* '''Protein expression''': Vectors can be used to express proteins in host cells, facilitating the study of protein function and structure.
+* [[Gene expression]]
-* '''Gene therapy''': Vectors are used to deliver therapeutic genes into patients' cells to treat genetic disorders.
+* [[Gene therapy]]
-* '''Vaccine development''': Viral vectors are used to develop vaccines by delivering antigens that stimulate an immune response.
+* [[Vaccine development]]
+* [[Protein production]]
 == Related pages ==
+* [[Recombinant DNA]]
 * [[Genetic engineering]]
-* [[Recombinant DNA]]
 * [[Gene therapy]]
-* [[Biotechnology]]
+* [[Plasmid]]
+* [[Gene cloning]]
-== References ==
-* Sambrook, J., & Russell, D. W. (2001). ''Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual''. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.
-* Brown, T. A. (2010). ''Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis: An Introduction''. Wiley-Blackwell.
 [[Category:Molecular biology]]
 [[Category:Genetic engineering]]