Bacterial plasmids are independent DNA strands that can self-replicate and transfer genetic information between organisms. They can perform different functions, such as conjugation and antibiotic resistance. Researchers use plasmids as vectors to insert foreign DNA for research purposes. Plasmids allow bacteria to adapt quickly to their environment, and labs can generate plasmids on demand or prepare their own.
A bacterial plasmid is a DNA strand within a bacterium that is independent of the chromosomal DNA of the bacterium. Plasmids are capable of self-replication and can be passed between organisms, an important trait for bacteria, as they use plasmids to transfer genetic information to each other. This ability also becomes important for researchers, who use bacterial plasmid vectors to insert foreign DNA into the DNA they are looking for.
The structure of a plasmid is often double-stranded and circular. It can contain varying lengths of genetic information, and there are different types of plasmids that can perform different functions. Some, for example, can perform conjugation, linking up with another bacterium to transfer genetic information. Others carry genetic information that confers antibiotic resistance, helps a bacterium break down nutrients to make them accessible, or makes the bacterium virulent. These plasmids cannot conjugate themselves; they need the help of a conjugating plasmid.
Gene transfer between bacteria via a bacterial plasmid is a fascinating technique that allows these organisms to transfer genetic material horizontally, rather than just passing it between generations. This is one reason why bacteria have been able to thrive for so long, because they can adapt to their environments extremely quickly. For example, if an antibiotic is introduced, bacteria with plasmids that help them resist that antibiotic can pass those plasmids on to other bacteria.
Genetic researchers exploit the plasmid as an ideal vector to transport DNA for research purposes. They use a conjugating plasmid designed to transfer genetic material and insert the DNA of their choice into the plasmid so that it is transferred. Then, they introduce the bacterial plasmid into a cell culture, allowing the cells to become infected, as it were, with the new genetic material, which will then be reproduced when the cells divide.
Due to the widespread use of plasmids in genetic research, many laboratories are able to generate plasmids for research on demand. Scientists can order a bacterial plasmid from one of these labs and the lab will insert the target DNA and package the bacterial plasmid for use. In other cases, researchers may prefer to prepare their own plasmids for research, for a variety of reasons ranging from a desire to control the conditions of the experiment to concerns about the safety of the DNA they are researching.
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