Vector (biology)
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2008-07-12T18:54:07Z
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In [[epidemiology]], a '''vector''' is an [[organism]] that does not cause [[disease]] itself but which transmits [[infection]] by conveying [[pathogen]]s from one [[Host (biology)|host]] to another.
A classic example is the [[Anopheles| anopheles mosquito]] which acts as a vector for the disease [[malaria]] by transmitting the malarial parasite [[plasmodium]] to humans.
In this case [[plasmodium]] is harmless to the mosquito (its [[intermediate host]]) but causes the disease [[malaria]] in humans (its [[definitive host]]).
In [[molecular biology]] and [[genetic engineering]] a '''vector''' is a vehicle for transferring genetic material into a cell.
A [[viral vector]] is a virus which has been modified to [[transduction (genetics)|transduct]] specific genetic material into a cell, e.g. for [[gene therapy]].
A [[Plasmid#Vectors|plasmid vector]] is made by splicing a [[DNA construct]] into a [[plasmid]]. Various techniques are then used to [[Transfection|transfect]] the plasmid into the cell.<!-- It could say e.g. lipofectamine but it's mentioned in the link -->
==Epidemiology==
There are two types of vector that convey infectious organisms to a host: mechanical and biological. Microbes do not multiply within mechanical vectors - mechanical vectors only physically transport microbes from host to host. In contrast, microbes must propagate within a biological vector before the biological vector can transmit the microbes.
*[[mosquito]] ([[malaria]], [[St. Louis encephalitis]], [[dengue fever]], [[yellow fever]], [[West Nile virus]])
*[[flea]] ([[bubonic plague]])
*[[tick]] ([[Lyme disease]], [[rocky mountain spotted fever]], [[Tick-borne meningoencephalitis|tick-borne encephalitis]])
*[[deer mouse]] ([[hantavirus]])
*[[kissing bug]] ([[Triatominae]]) ([[Chagas Disease]])
*[[bat#As vectors for pathogens|bat]]([[Rabies]])
==Molecular biology==
{{Main|Vector (molecular biology)}}
===Cell transformation and gene therapy===
*[[adenovirus]]
*[[adeno-associated virus]]
*[[tobacco mosaic virus]] (plants)
*[[cytomegalovirus]]
*[[bacteriophage]] ([[bacterium|bacteria]])
*[[viral vector]]
===DNA===
*[[SV40]] (Simian virus 40)
*[[Plasmid]]
*[[Yeast artificial chromosome]] ([[Chromosome walking]], [[Positional cloning]])
*[[Bacterial artificial chromosome]] ([[Shotgun sequencing]])
==See also==
*[[Vector DNA]]
*[[Vector (disease)]]
==References==
* {{cite news
|url=http://www.who.int/malaria/vectorcontrol.html
|title=Vector Control
|publisher=[[World Health Organization]], Global Malaria Programme
|accessdate=2007-05-30}}
* {{cite news
|url=http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/glossary.htm#v
|title=Malaria Glossary
|publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
|accessdate=2007-05-30}}
[[Category:Scientific classification]]
[[Category:Biological hazards]]
[[Category:Parasitology]]
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==External links==
* [http://www.genetherapynet.com Gene Therapy Net]
* [http://vectorbio.rutgers.edu The Rutgers University Center for Vector Biology]