Vectors in biotechnology are the carriers of the genetic material and transfer the desired genome into the host organism. Vectors are used for making copies or clones with the recombinant DNA.

The vectors should have the following features to facilitate the cloning and transfer process.

• Origin of replication to enable replication of the vector and vector supporting higher copy number is preferred.
• Selectable marker to help in identifying the transformant from non-transformants.
• Restriction enzyme sites for insertion of foreign DNA.

Plasmids and bacteriophages are preferred as cloning vectors from transferring genes. Even retroviruses that have been disarmed and are also preferred as vector due to their enzyme reverse transcriptase.