Synthetic Biology:Vectors/Nomenclature

pSBxyz-a

pSB = plasmid Synthetic Biology
x = origin of replication
y = selection marker
z = version number
-a = insert

Origin of replication

• 1= pUC19-derived pMB1 (in pSB series)
• 2 = pSCANS-derived
• 3 = p15A pMR101-derived
• 4 = rep101, repA pSC101-derived

Selection marker

• X = none
• A = ampicillin
• C = chloramphenicol
• E = erythromycin
• G = gentamycin
• K = kanamycin
• N = neomycin
• Na = nalidixic acid
• R = rifampicin
• S = spectinomycin
• St = streptomycin
• T = tetracycline
• Tm = trimethoprim
• Z = zeocin
• AK = kanamycin and ampicillin
• KT = kanamycin and tetracycline
• AKT = ampicillin and kanamycin and tetracycline
• AC = ampicillin and chloramphenicol

… etc

Version number

(used to indicate miscellaneous interesting changes to backbone)

• 0 = nothing
• 1 = complete Biobricks insertion site
• 2 = 5’ terminator and complete Biobricks insertion site
• 3 = 5’ terminator and complete Biobricks insertion site and 3’ terminator

Insert

• generally a BioBricks part number where multiple parts are separated by periods
• no dash = no insert
• -P1010 = ccd operon insert
  • -1 = ccdB <-- this has now become legacy nomenclature.