Expression vector

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Expression vector is a type of plasmid that is used in genetics and molecular biology to express a specific gene within a target cell. When the expression vector is introduced into a target cell, the vector's gene is expressed in that cell. This tool is commonly used in the field of genetics to study the function of specific genes.

Overview[edit | edit source]

An expression vector must have certain features to function effectively. These include a promoter region, which initiates the transcription of the gene, and a termination sequence, which ends the transcription. The vector may also contain a selectable marker, which allows cells containing the vector to be identified.

Use in Research[edit | edit source]

Expression vectors are a crucial tool in molecular biology research. They are used to study gene function by expressing the gene in a variety of cell types. This can help to identify the role of the gene in the cell's function and development. Expression vectors are also used in the production of proteins for use in research and medicine.

Types of Expression Vectors[edit | edit source]

There are several types of expression vectors, including bacterial expression vectors, yeast expression vectors, mammalian expression vectors, and insect expression vectors. The type of vector used depends on the type of cell in which the gene is to be expressed.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Expression vector Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD