∞ generated and posted on 2016.01.01 ∞
Carrier of recombinant DNA from outside of an organism to inside of an organism, particularly inside of the latter's cell or cells.
| Vectors from a biotechnology standpoint often are cloning vectors or alternatively expression vectors and typically consist of plasmids or viruses, the latter including bacteriophages, all usually genetically engineered to carry recombinant DNA. |
Vectors particularly take DNA from an in vitro location to an in vivo, indeed within-cell location. Vectors for cloning into bacteria such as Escherichia coli typically consist of genetically engineered plasmids whereas for gene therapy instead often consist of genetically engineered viruses.
Cloning vectors are designed particularly for subsequent propagation of that DNA (i.e., replication) whereas expression vectors are set up for both propagation and transcription of cloned genes. See also shuttle vector.