title: Plasmid replication and maintenance in binary fissile microorganisms.
abstract: The mechanisms of nonconjugative plasmid replication (in the single cell) and maintenance (at the population level) are of concern to the microbiologist and to the genetic engineer who wishes to exploit their ability to express cloned genes. This article concentrates mainly on Escherichia coli as the host organism and examines the mechanisms by which both naturally occurring and genetically engineered plasmids persist in populations during periods of growth. Additional strategies to ensure high yields of recombinant product are briefly considered.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Randerson
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology*; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010641:Phenotype; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012093:Replicon / Q000502:physiology