The construction of the first recombinant DNA emerged from the possibility of linking a gene encoding antibiotic resistance with a native plasmid. The cutting of DNA at specific locations became possible with the discovery of the so-called ‘molecular scissors’ – restriction enzymes. The cut piece of DNA was then linked with the plasmid DNA. This plasmid DNA acts as vector to transfer the piece of DNA attached to it. The linking of antibiotic resistance gene with the plasmid vector became possible with the enzyme DNA ligase, which acts on cut DNA molecules and joins their ends. This makes a new combination of circular autonomously replicating DNA created in vitro and is known as recombinant DNA.