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Related Concept Videos

Plasmids01:28

Plasmids

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
Law of Segregation01:49

Law of Segregation

When crossing pea plants, Mendel noticed that one of the parental traits would sometimes disappear in the first generation of offspring, called the F1 generation, and could reappear in the next generation (F2). He concluded that one of the traits must be dominant over the other, thereby causing masking of one trait in the F1 generation. When he crossed the F1 plants, he found that 75% of the offspring in the F2 generation had the dominant phenotype, while 25% had the recessive phenotype.
Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance01:39

Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance

In 1866, Gregor Mendel published the results of his pea plant breeding experiments, providing evidence for predictable patterns in the inheritance of physical characteristics. The significance of his findings was not immediately recognized. In fact, the existence of genes was unknown at the time. Mendel referred to hereditary units as “factors.”
Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation02:53

Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation

Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
Conjugation01:19

Conjugation

Conjugation is a form of horizontal gene transfer that primarily occurs in bacteria and some archaea, promoting genetic diversity and adaptation. Bacteria can acquire resistance genes through conjugative plasmids, allowing them to survive antibiotic treatments that would otherwise be lethal. This process involves direct contact between cells through specialized structures such as the sex pilus and is mediated by conjugative plasmids, including the F (fertility) factor.Conjugation requires...
Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview

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Related Experiment Video

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Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics
07:43

Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics

Published on: December 27, 2024

Plasmid segregation: is a total understanding within reach?

Daniel J Needleman1

  • 1Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. Daniel_Needleman@hms.harvard.edu

Current Biology : CB
|March 13, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Researchers are developing a quantitative understanding of bacterial plasmid DNA segregation. This involves studying the proteins that actively partition plasmids, paving the way for molecular insights into this crucial process.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Bacterial plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA elements crucial for bacterial adaptation and evolution.
  • Active partitioning mechanisms ensure the faithful segregation of plasmids during cell division.
  • Understanding these mechanisms is key to controlling plasmid inheritance and bacterial genetics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the molecular basis of active plasmid partitioning.
  • To advance the development of a quantitative understanding of DNA segregation.
  • To investigate the proteins involved in bacterial plasmid segregation.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro studies of protein-DNA interactions.
  • In vivo experiments in bacterial systems.
  • Quantitative analysis of DNA segregation processes.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests proteins involved in active partitioning can be quantitatively understood.
  • Studies indicate a molecular basis for DNA segregation is emerging.
  • The research provides a foundation for dissecting plasmid segregation at a molecular level.

Conclusions:

  • A quantitative, molecular understanding of bacterial plasmid DNA segregation is achievable.
  • Further research into partitioning proteins will elucidate fundamental DNA segregation principles.
  • This work has implications for bacterial genetics and biotechnology.