cosmid

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cosmid

A scientist inserts a cosmid vector into a bacterial cell.

Definition

Noun: 1. (Genetics) A type of large cloning vector: A cosmid is a laboratory-constructed DNA molecule, derived from a bacteriophage (a virus that infects bacteria), that is used to clone (make identical copies of) relatively large fragments of foreign DNA, such as genes or gene fragments, inside a bacterial host.

Examples of Usage
  • Noun:
    • The researchers inserted the human gene fragment into a cosmid for amplification.
    • This cosmid library contains large segments of the plant's genome.
    • Compared to plasmids, cosmids can carry much larger pieces of DNA.
Advanced Usage
  • Cosmid cloning: The process of using a cosmid as a vector to replicate a DNA insert.
    • Cosmid cloning was essential for constructing physical maps of complex genomes.
  • Cosmid library: A collection of cloned DNA fragments, each carried within a cosmid vector, which together represent the entire genome of an organism.
    • Scientists screened the cosmid library to find the sequence responsible for the trait.
Variants and Related Words
  • Vector (n): In molecular biology, a DNA molecule (such as a plasmid, virus, or cosmid) used as a vehicle to artificially carry foreign genetic material into a host cell.
  • Bacteriophage (n): A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. Cosmids utilize specific sequences (cos sites) from bacteriophages.
  • Plasmid (n): A smaller, circular DNA molecule, distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA, often used as a cloning vector for smaller DNA fragments.
Synonyms
  • Cloning vector: A general term for any DNA molecule used to carry foreign DNA into a host cell for replication.
Related Terms and Concepts
  • Cos sites: Cohesive end sites; specific DNA sequences from bacteriophage lambda that are present in cosmids and allow the vector DNA to be packaged into phage particles.
  • Genomic library: A collection of clones that contains fragments representing the entire genome of an organism; a cosmid library is one type of genomic library.
  • Recombinant DNA technology: The set of techniques used to join together DNA molecules from different sources; cosmids are a tool in this field.
cosmid

A scientist inserts a cosmid vector into a bacterial cell.

Noun
  1. (genetics) a large vector that is made from a bacteriophage and used to clone genes or gene fragments