Question

Name the most commonly used natural vector for cloning genes in plants.

Answer 1

Ti plasmid is the most commonly used natural vector for cloning genes in plants. It is present in Agrobacterium tumifecians and is used by the bacterium to cause a tumour in plants. The T-DNA region of the plasmid can be modified (genetically engineered) to disrupt (remove) a tumour causing gene and introduce a foreign gene, which can then be introduced into the plant by infecting the plant with the plasmid.