Refactoring M13

M13K07 is a helper phage vector carrying all the essential genes of for M13 phage production in addition to KanR and a p15 ori. We have inserted 8 mutations within the coding regions of genes between geneII and geneIII. These mutations create new cut sites that allow for the easy insertion of synthesized DNA fragments, allowing one to quickly re-engineer the phage or insert novel elements into the genome. The mutations are shown in Fig 1 below. All 8 mutations reduce the phenotype of M13K07 to about 10x below wild type cfu/ml in plaque assays and produce smaller plaques.

We are currently using this phage for instructional purposes in genome redesign in the class 20.109 [1].