Abstract

The development of the Bacterial Artificail Chromosome (BAC) system was driven in part by the Human Genome Project as a means to construct genomic DNA libraries and physical maps for genomic sequencing. The BAC system is based on the well-characterized Escherichia coli F-factor, a low copy plasmid that exists in a supercoiled circular form in host cells. The structural features of the F-factor allow stable maintenance of individual human DNA clones as well as easy manipulation of the cloned DNA. BACs are currently used in a wide array of applications from genome sequencing to gene discovery. This paper describes the key elements in the development of the BAC system and its current notable applications. (Keio J Med 50 (1): 26-30, March 2001)

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