Hygromycin B is an antibiotic commonly used in molecular biology and biotechnology. It is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces hygroscopicus and acts as a selective agent in cell culture. Often used for the selection of cells that have been genetically engineered to express a hygromycin resistance gene. This gene is typically included in plasmids or vectors used in molecular cloning and genetic engineering. Cells that successfully integrate and express the hygromycin resistance gene become resistant to the inhibitory effects of Hygromycin B.
