What is a recombinant plasmid?

A recombinant plasmid is a plasmid into which a foreign DNA fragment or gene has been inserted. Plasmids are small circular pieces of DNA that exist naturally in bacterial cells and in some eukaryotes such yeasts and plants. Recombinant plasmids replicate independently from the host’s chromosomal DNA.

Scientists use plasmids experimentally as tools for the purpose of transferring cloning, and manipulating genes. They do this by inserting DNA fragments or genes into a plasmid vector, creating what is known as a recombinant plasmid.