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AAT Bioquest

What are the important features required for a plasmid vector?

Posted January 20, 2023


Answer

For a plasmid vector to be useful for recombination techniques it must have these important features: 

  • Be small in size, ideally less than 10KB in size, so it can integrate easily into the host cell. 
  • Possess an origin of replication so that it can replicate autonomously inside host cells. 
  • Have multiple cloning sites. 
  • Possess an antibiotic resistance gene or selectable marker that helps to identify and eliminate non-transformants and selectively permit the growth of transformants.
  • Be capable of inserting a large DNA segment. 
  • Feature multiple restriction sites that are unique for different restriction endonucleases, which allows the insertion of target DNA to specific sites on the plasmid. 
  • Be capable of functioning under both, prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.
Additional resources

The Facts and Family Secrets of Plasmids That Replicate via the Rolling-Circle Mechanism

Cell Structures and Organelles

DNA and RNA Quantitation

Helixyte™ Green Fluorimetric dsDNA Quantitation Kit *Optimized for Broad Dynamic Range*