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. 1983 Dec;48(3):647–653. doi: 10.1128/jvi.48.3.647-653.1983

In vitro recombination of bacteriophage T7 DNA detected by a direct physical assay.

D Lee, P D Sadowski
PMCID: PMC255396  PMID: 6313964

Abstract

We developed a simple, direct, physical assay to detect genetic recombination of bacteriophage T7 DNA in vitro. In this assay two mature T7 DNA molecules, each having a unique restriction enzyme site, are incubated in the presence of a cell-free extract from T7-infected Escherichia coli cells. After extraction of the DNA, restriction enzyme digestion, and agarose gel electrophoresis, genetic recombination is detected by the appearance of a novel recombinant DNA band. Recombination frequencies as high as 13% have been observed. We used this assay to determine the genetic requirements for in vitro recombination. In agreement with results obtained previously with a biological assay, T7 recombination in vitro appears to proceed via two distinct pathways.

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Selected References

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