# What is a Construct?

A **construct** is a designed genetic sequence in Kernel. Constructs represent plasmids, expression vectors, linear DNA fragments, or any engineered genetic element.

## Construct Components

### Sequence

The DNA sequence is the foundation of every construct. Sequences can be:

* **Circular**: Plasmids and circular vectors
* **Linear**: DNA fragments, cassettes, or linear vectors

### Parts

Parts are functional elements mapped to sequence regions:

* Promoters driving expression
* Coding sequences (genes)
* Terminators ending transcription
* Origins of replication
* Selection markers

### Annotations

Annotations label sequence features:

* Part annotations linked to part definitions
* Custom annotations for any feature
* Imported annotations from GenBank files

## Construct Views

Kernel provides three ways to visualize constructs:

### Schematic View

A symbolic representation showing parts as standardized icons:

* Parts arranged linearly
* Direction indicated by symbol orientation
* Part names labeled above
* Color-coded by part type

### Sequence Viewer

The DNA sequence displayed with:

* Nucleotide letters (A, T, G, C)
* Position markers
* Annotation tracks below the sequence
* Selection highlighting

### Circular Map

For circular constructs (plasmids):

* Parts arranged around a circle
* Size shown in the center (bp)
* Useful for visualizing plasmid organization

![Construct Editor Views](/files/SC7MXUQNq1eT35556pSt)

## Construct Properties

### Basic Information

* **Name**: Identifies the construct
* **Description**: What the construct does
* **Topology**: Circular or linear

### Metadata

* **Repository**: Where the construct is stored
* **Created/Modified**: Timestamps
* **Created by**: Author

### Attributes

Custom fields for your workflow:

* Project name
* Organism/host
* Selection marker
* Any custom properties

## Construct Groups

Construct groups link related constructs that work together. Common use cases:

### Multi-Plasmid Systems

Antibodies with separate heavy and light chain plasmids:

* HC plasmid (heavy chain)
* LC plasmid (light chain)

### Co-Transfection Sets

Multiple plasmids transfected together:

* Expression vector
* Helper plasmid
* Reporter construct

### Creating a Group

1. Select multiple constructs
2. Right-click and select **Group constructs**
3. Name the group
4. Grouped constructs appear together in searches and views

## Revisions

Kernel tracks construct history:

* Every save creates a revision
* View revision history in the History panel
* Compare changes between versions
* Revert to previous versions if needed

## Next Steps

* [Creating Constructs](/constructs/creating-constructs.md) — Build new constructs
* [Drag and Drop Assembly](/constructs/drag-and-drop.md) — Visual construct design
* [Annotations](/constructs/annotations.md) — Label sequence features


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