SHUTTLE VECTOR Meaning and
Definition
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A shuttle vector refers to a type of DNA molecule widely utilized in molecular biology and genetic engineering experiments. It is engineered to be capable of replicating in multiple host organisms, enabling the transfer of genetic material between different species or strains.
The term "shuttle" represents the vector's ability to travel back and forth between different cellular environments, such as prokaryotic bacterial cells and eukaryotic cells like yeast or mammalian cells. This versatility is achieved by incorporating features that enable replication and expression in different host systems.
Typically, a shuttle vector contains a selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene, which allows for the fast and easy identification and isolation of cells that have successfully taken up the vector. It also usually carries an origin of replication that is specific to each host organism, ensuring its ability to replicate within the respective cells.
Shuttle vectors are of immense importance in various research applications, including the cloning and expression of genes in different species, studying gene function and regulation, and producing recombinant proteins. They provide a means to introduce foreign DNA into specific organisms, enabling scientists to manipulate and study the characteristics and behaviors of different genes under different cellular contexts. As a result, shuttle vectors play a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of genetics and molecular biology.
Common Misspellings for SHUTTLE VECTOR
- ahuttle vector
- zhuttle vector
- xhuttle vector
- dhuttle vector
- ehuttle vector
- whuttle vector
- sguttle vector
- sbuttle vector
- snuttle vector
- sjuttle vector
- suuttle vector
- syuttle vector
- shyttle vector
- shhttle vector
- shjttle vector
- shittle vector
- sh8ttle vector
- sh7ttle vector
- shurtle vector
- shuftle vector
Etymology of SHUTTLE VECTOR
The word "shuttle vector" is derived from two separate origins.
1. "Shuttle": The term "shuttle" refers to something that moves back and forth between two points. It comes from Old English "scytel", meaning "a missile, dart, or arrow". Over time, the word evolved to mean a device or mechanism that shuttles or transports objects or people between two locations. In the context of molecular biology, a "shuttle vector" refers to a type of cloning vector that can be transferred between different host organisms or cell types.
2. "Vector": In molecular biology, a "vector" refers to a DNA molecule used to transfer foreign genes into a host organism. The term originates from Latin and is derived from "vehere", meaning "to carry". The cloning vector serves as a carrier or vehicle to deliver the foreign DNA into the host organism, usually a bacteria or yeast.
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