In vitro phage lambda DNA packaging system

摘要

A bacterial preparation capable of packaging phage lambda DNA is disclosed. This preparation is in lyophilized form and is stable at ambient temperature. In a preferred form, the preparation contains an over-expressed terminase protein, is prepared from the bacterial strain E. coli Cla [ lambda c/857 Sam7 DELTA (cos-Nu1-A)::Knr]/ lambda pTER and is capable of a packaging efficiency of at least 1x108 pfu/ mu g wild type lambda DNA. The present invention is also a method of creating a phage lambda DNA packaging extract comprising the steps of preparing a bacterial extract capable of packaging phage lambda and lyophilizing said extract.