Recombineering, in vivo genetic engineering using the bacteriophage λ Red generalized recombination system, was used to create various modifications of a multicopy plasmid derived from pBR322. All genetic modifications possible on the E. coli chromosome and on bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) are also possible on multicopy plasmids and are obtained with similar frequencies to their chromosomal counterparts, including creation of point mutations (5-10% unselected frequency), deletions and substitutions. Parental and recombinant plasmids are nearly always present as a mixture following recombination, and circular multimeric plasmid molecules are often generated during the recombineering. Keywordsphage λ Red homologous recombination; multicopy plasmid; plasmid multimers; in vivo genetic engineering