Question

In an experiment to produce recombinant cells, a plasmid without selectable marker was chosen as the vector for cloning a gene.

1. Predict the outcome of this experiment.
2. Name an artificial chromosome that can be used as a vector to transfer the recombinant DNA in Penicillium notatum.

Answer 1

1. It would be impossible to differentiate between transformants (cells that have taken up the plasmid) and non-transformants. Without a selectable marker, such as an antibiotic resistance gene, all cells would either grow or fail to grow equally, preventing the identification and selection of recombinant cells.
2. YAC (Yeast Artificial Chromosome) is the appropriate vector.