Plasmid Transfer of pBR322 Derivatives from recA’E. Coli K12 Donor Strain to Various Natural Gram-Negative Isolates

Abstract

Concern about possible biohazards from accidental or deliberate release of genetically modified microorganisms (GEMMOs) in the environment has been raised during the last years. The fate of recombinant DNA in natural environments probably depends primarily on the nature of its bacterial host and the cloning vector in which it is carried. To minimize the potential transfer of plasmids containing novel genes from a released GEMMO to indigenous bacteria, the novel genes are usually incorporated into presumably safe plasmids - for example pBR322andpBR325.