Tools of the trade: plasmid repositories and standardized plasmid manipulation for molecular and synthetic biology.

Plasmids are extrachromosomal genetic elements capable of autonomous replication within a host cell. They play a key role in bacterial ecology and evolution, facilitating the mobilization of accessory genes by horizontal gene transfer. Crucially, plasmids also serve as valuable tools in modern molecular biology. Here, we highlight recent articles aimed at implementing standardized plasmid assembly techniques and plasmid repositories to promote open science as well as to improve experimental reproducibility across laboratories. Research focused on assisting these fundamental aims is a further step towards improving standardization in molecular and synthetic biology.