Animal Biotechnology

VECTOR DNA INSERT AND HOST

• Vector" is an agent that can carry a DNA fragment into a host cell. If it is used for reproducing the DNA fragment, it is called a "cloning vector". If it is used for expressing certain gene in the DNA fragment, it is called an "expression vector".
• The DNA segment to be cloned is called DNA insert.
• Recombinant DNAs are introduced into a suitable organism, usually a bacterium; this organism is called host, while the process is called transformation. The transformed host cells are selected and cloned.