G418 and neomycin?

[Dr Mark Watson]

Hi All

A question from a non microbiologist.  If a plasmid has neomycin
selection why can't you use neomycin as the selection antibiotic?
Everyone uses G418 (Geneticin).  What is the basis for using
G418 vs neo?  Toxicity? Cost? some other reason that I'm just too
dumb to figure out :-)

Thanks

Mark
Dr Mark Watson B.Sc.(Hon) Ph.D.
Details at http://www.cbsm.uwa.edu.au/sigfile.html