THE SIMPLICITY OF COMPLEX MACS

The development of mammalian artificial chromosomes (MACs) would be us eful for biotechnology and biomedicine, including their use in functio nal genomics, transgenic animals and gene therapy. By analogy to large cloning systems in microorganisms, MACs may be engineered using endog enous chromosomal elements such as the yeast-based artificial chromoso mes (YACs), or exogenous extra-chromosomal components derived from vir uses and other cellular parasites such as the bacterial-based artifici al chromosomes (BACs) and pi artificial chromosomes (PACs).