| viral vector | <molecular biology> Viral DNA that has been modified to serve as a vector for recombinant DNA. (11 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| mechanical vector | A vector that conveys pathogens to a susceptible individual without essential biological development of the pathogens in the vector, as in the transfer of septic organisms on the feet or mouth parts of the housefly. (05 Mar 2000) |
| replacement vector | A cloning vector, such as a bacteriophage, in which some of the DNA of the vector can be replaced with foreign DNA. (09 Oct 1997) |
| retroviral vector | <molecular biology> See Retroviridae. Retroviral vectors are used in the genetic modification of cells as a means of introducing foreign DNA into the genome. For example: retroviral vector 's encoding histochemical markers (reporter genes) are used in the study of neural cell lineage in vertebrates. Retroviral vector's may contain the bacterial lacZ gene that encodes for the enzyme _ galactosidase. When the retrovirally infected cells divide, they replicate the foreign DNA. Progeny of infected cells will therefore express the protein and can then be detected histochemically. (11 Jan 1998) |
| cloning vector | <molecular biology> A DNA molecule originating from a virus (plasmid vector), or the cell of a higher organism into which another DNA fragment of appropriate size can be integrated without loss of the vectors capacity for self- replication. Vectors introduce foreign DNA into host cells, where it can be reproduced in large quantities. They are also used to insert DNA from one cell type to another. Examples are plasmids, cosmids, and yeast artificial chromosomes, vectors are often recombinant molecules containing DNA sequences from several sources. Cloning vectors are usually designed to have convenient restriction sites that can be cut to generate sticky end to which the DNA that is to be cloned can be ligated easily. (12 Mar 1998) |
| secretion vector | <molecular biology> A DNA vector in which the protein product is both expressed and secreted (excreted) from the cell. (09 Oct 1997) |
| host-vector system | A combination of a bacterial host cell (i.e. A specific strain) and a virus vector (i.e. A particular bacteriophage strain) which work well together for DNA cloning. (09 Oct 1997) |
| shuttle vector | <molecular biology> Cloning vector that replicate in cells of more than one organism, for example E. Coli and yeast. This combination allows DNA from yeast to be grown in E. Coli and tested directly for complementation in yeast. Shuttle vectors are constructed so that they have the origins of replication of the various hosts. (18 Nov 1997) |
| spatial vector | A cardiac vector represented in more than one plane simultaneously; two-or three-dimensional orientation of a vector. (05 Mar 2000) |
| instantaneous vector | The resultant vector of the heart's action currents at any given moment, usually represented as an arrow of appropriate direction and magnitude. (05 Mar 2000) |
| expression vector | <molecular biology> A cloning vector that contains the necessary regulatory sequences to allow transcription and translation of a cloned gene or genes and thus transcribe and clone DNA. (13 Nov 1997) |