What is DNA construct?
A '''DNA construct''' is an [[artificial]]ly constructed segment of [[nucleic acid]] which is going to be 'transplanted' into a target [[Biological tissue|tissue]] or [[Cell (biology)|cell]]. It often contains a '''DNA insert''', which contains the [[gene]] sequence encoding a [[protein]] of interest. The DNA insert has been subcloned into a '''molecular biology vector'''. A DNA construct may express wildtype protein, or prevent the expression of certain genes by expressing competitors or inhibitors. It may express mutant proteins, such as deletion mutations or missense [[mutation]]s. A DNA construct is often used in [[molecular biology]] to analyze [[macromolecule]]s such as proteins or [[RNA]] in more detail. == Molecular biology vectors == [[File:Plasmid replication (english).svg|300px|thumb|right|There are two types of plasmid integration into a host bacteria: Non-integrating plasmids replicate as with the top instance, whereas [[episomes]], the lower example, integrate into the host [[chromosome]].]] A molecular biology vector is a [[DNA]] molecule used as a vehicle to transfer foreign genetic material into another cell. The main types of vectors are [[plasmid]]s, [[bacteriophage]]s and other [[virus]]es, and [[artificial]] [[chromosomes]]. Common to all engineered vectors are an origin of [[DNA replication|replication]], a [[multiple cloning site|multicloning site]], and a [[selectable marker]]. The vector itself is generally a [[DNA]] sequence that consists of an insert ([[transgene]]) and a larger sequence that serves as the 'backbone' of the vector. The backbone will include bacterial resistance genes for growth in [[bacteria]], and promoters for expression in the organism. The purpose of a vector which transfers genetic information to another cell is typically to isolate, multiply, or express the insert in the target cell. Insertion of a vector into the target cell is usually called [[Transformation (genetics)|transformation]] for bacterial cells, or [[transfection]] for [[eukaryotic cel