Transfer DNAThe transfer DNA (abbreviated T-DNA) is the transferred DNA of the tumor-inducing (Ti)/root-inducing (Ri) plasmid of plant-pathogenic bacteria such as Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhizobium rhizogenes, and Allorhizobium vitis (all loosely considered to be Agrobacterium). The T-DNA is transferred from bacterium into the host plant's nuclear DNA genome.
Selectable markerA selectable marker is a gene introduced into cells, especially bacteria or cells in culture, which confers one or more traits suitable for artificial selection. They are a type of reporter gene used in laboratory microbiology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering to indicate the success of a transfection or transformation or other procedure meant to introduce foreign DNA into a cell.
AgrobacteriumAgrobacterium is a genus of Gram-negativebacteria established by H. J. Conn that uses horizontal gene transfer to cause tumors in plants. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the most commonly studied species in this genus. Agrobacterium is well known for its ability to transfer DNA between itself and plants, and for this reason it has become an important tool for genetic engineering.
PlasmidSmall DNA molecule within a cellA plasmid is a circular DNA molecule, separate from the genome, that can replicate inside of bacteria. This allows scientists to copy, multiply, and express a gene of interest.A plasmid is a small, extrachromosomal DNA molecule within a cell that is physically separated from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently.
Vector (molecular biology)In molecular cloning, a vector is any particle (e.g., plasmids, cosmids, Lambda phages) used as a vehicle to artificially carry a foreign nucleic sequence – usually DNA – 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 plasmids, viral vectors, cosmids, and artificial chromosomes. Of these, the most commonly used vectors are plasmids.Agrobacterium tumefaciensAgrobacterium tumefaciens is the causal agent of crown gall disease (the formation of tumours) in over 140 species of eudicots. It is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative soil bacterium. Symptoms are caused by the insertion of a small segment of DNA (known as T-DNA, for 'transfer DNA', not to be confused with tRNA that transfers amino acids during protein synthesis), from a plasmid into the plant cell, which is incorporated at a semi-random location into the plant genome.
Genetically modified plantGenetically modified plants have been engineered for scientific research, to create new colours in plants, deliver vaccines, and to create enhanced crops. Plant genomes can be engineered by physical methods or by use of Agrobacterium for the delivery of sequences hosted in T-DNA binary vectors. Many plant cells are pluripotent, meaning that a single cell from a mature plant can be harvested and then under the right conditions form a new plant.Ti plasmidA tumour inducing (Ti) plasmid is a plasmid found in pathogenic species of Agrobacteriumsensu lato, including A. tumefaciens, Rhizobium rhizogenes, and Allorhizobium vitis. Evolutionarily, the Ti plasmid is part of a family of plasmids carried by many species of Alphaproteobacteria.
Reporter geneReporter genes are molecular tools widely used in molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology to study gene function, expression patterns, and regulatory mechanisms. These genes encode proteins that produce easily detectable signals, such as fluorescence, luminescence, or enzymatic activity, allowing researchers to monitor cellular processes in real-time.
DNA replicationDNA replication is the process by which a cell makes exact copies of its DNA. This process occurs in all organisms and is essential to biological inheritance, cell division, and repair of damaged tissues. DNA replication ensures that each of the newly divided daughter cells receives its own copy of each DNA molecule. DNA most commonly occurs in double-stranded form, made up of two complementarystrands held together by base pairing of the nucleotides comprising each strand.
OncogeneAn oncogene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. In tumor cells, these genes are often mutated, or expressed at high levels. Most normal cells undergo a preprogrammed rapid cell death (apoptosis) if critical functions are altered and then malfunction. Activated oncogenes can cause those cells designated for apoptosis to survive and proliferate instead.
Antimicrobial resistanceAntimicrobial resistance (AMR or AR) occurs when microbes evolve mechanisms that protect them from antimicrobials, which are drugs used to treat infections in humans, animals, and plants. Any microbe can develop resistance, including bacteria (antibiotic resistance), viruses (antiviral resistance), parasites (antiparasitic resistance), and fungi (antifungal resistance).*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.