Lab Report Essay

This pBlu lab had for purpose to present the changes of the strain of E. coli bacteria due to new genetic information being introduced into the cell. In this experiment we are freezing and heat shocking the E. Coli bacteria that is then forced to take the plasmid DNA. The E. coli then transforms the pBLu plasmid, which carries the genes coding for two identifiable phenotypes. After following the Carolina Biological steps our lab worked well and we able to see some colonies of bacteria on the plates. The x-gal plate showed a significant amount of bacteria to confirm that the pBlu plasmid took over the E. coli strain.

This experiment was designed to test and observe the transformation efficacy of the pUC18 and lux plasmids in making E. coli resistant to ampicillin. Both plasmids code for ampicillin resistance, however, the lux plasmid codes for a bioluminescence gene that is expressed if properly introduced into the bacteria’s genome. The E. coli cultures were mixed with a calcium chloride solution and then heat shocked, allowing the plasmids to enter the bacteria and assimilate into the bacterial DNA. The plasmids and the bacteria were then mixed in different test tubes and then evenly spread onto petri dishes using a bacterial spreader, heating the spreader between each sample to make sure there is no cross contamination. Each of the dishes was labeled and then incubated for a period of 24 hours. The results were rather odd because every single one of the samples grew. Several errors could have occurred here, cross contamination or possibly an error in preparation as every single sample in the class grew, meaning all samples of the bacteria transformed and became ampicillin resistant.

In the pGLO Bacterial Transformation lab, Escherichia coli is transformed with a gene encoding green fluorescent protein by inserting a plasmid containing the GFP gene, beta-lactamase, and arabinose into the bacterium. Successfully transformed bacteria will grow in the presence of ampicillin and glow a bright green color under ultraviolet light. The sugar arabinose is responsible for switching on the GFP gene in the transformed cells, without it, the gene will not be expressed.

The purpose of this experiment was to show the genetic transformation of E. coli bacteria with a plasmid that codes for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and contains a gene regulatory system that confers ampicillin resistance. A plasmid is a genetic structure in a cell that can replicate independently of chromosomes. In this lab, the Green Fluorescent Protein, which is typically found in the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea Victoria, was cloned, purified, and moved from one organism to another with the use of pGlo plasmids. It was hypothesized that if bacteria that were transformed with +pGlo plasmids are given the gene for GFP, then transformed cell colonies

The Spot-Overlay Ames Test was used in the lab to find the mutagenesis of Diet Coke and ThermaFlu. Along with these substances three mutant strains of salmonella were also tested. TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 1538 all lacked the ability to grow the amino acid histidine unless reverted back by the potential mutagens. After the first week of testing, results showed that both of the potential mutagens, Diet Coke and ThermaFlu were in fact mutagenic. This was established if colonial growth was at least twice as much as that of the negative control. For the continuation of the experiment, Diet Coke and the TA 1535 strain of S. thyphimurium were chosen to continue experimentation for the second week. Testing commenced once both substances had been mixed

Instead, they argued in favor of the recombination dependent mutation theory. E.coli with a Lac- mutation were found to revert back into Lac+ bacteria when grown in lactose and minimal media. However, the mechanism was still unclear. Some scientists argued the lac region still had some ability to catalyze lactose, and will be amplified until it can grow on lactose. On the other hand, scientist at Indiana University state revertants are created through DNA error. Through three experiments, scientist argued against the amplification dependent mutation theory. Transposons were inserted at various distances from the lac region, and transformation frequency did not decrease as the transposon and lac distance decreased. Amplification of the transposon and the lac region should have occurred at the same frequency because they are close together on the plasmid. Furthermore, tetA gene, another gene on the plasmid, was also selected in the experiment. Similarly, the reversion of this gene was not tied to the reversion of the Lac- no matter the distance. Lastly, the amplification theory states alleles must be cis to undergo amplification. However, scientists found that reversion still occurs when the lac region is trans. Thus, these scientists debunk the amplification dependent mutation theory in favor of the recombination dependent mutation

The pGLO plasmid will transform the E. coli bacteria with a gene called GFP that codes for the Green Fluorescent Protein in the genetic code. GFP was discovered in the jellyfish, Aequorea victoria as a green fluorescent light emitted from the jellyfish. It was typically seen in the dark upon its activation and since then has been used in studies relating to genetic transformation. (Chalfie and Tu 1994) The majority of the studies test the many different factors that are required in the transformation of pGLO which will determine the functionality of GFP in the E.coli bacterium. The first experiment in transforming GFP and E. coli was completed in 1994 by Chalfie and was further refined the same year. The experiment proved the importance of using restriction enzymes, and DNA ligase in the process of transforming GFP to identify arabinose as the primary activator, and to identify the ampicillin

The field of biotechnology involves the concept of genetic engineering, altering the DNA/genetic material of an organism using information from a different one. The process in which bacteria can obtain this manipulated genetic information from another source is called genetic transformation. The goal of this experiment was to genetically transform Escherichia coli bacteria’s DNA by inserting the vector pGLO plasmid which codes for ampicillin resistance as well as the green fluorescent protein, GFP. For the experiment, the E. coli bacteria were separated into two groups; control and

To mutagenize human Kif5A (WT), we performed PCR-mediated site-directed mutagenesis to insert our mutation into the plasmid vector (shown to the right). Next, we performed a restriction enzyme digest with Dpn1, to digest the parental plasmid.  The presence of the PCR product was confirmed by performing gel electrophoresis where the expected band of 6.8 kilobases was obtained. The remaining DNA was used in a bacterial transformation of DH5α to grow colonies. Liquid cultures were grown from overnight colonies and Minipreps were performed to purify the plasmid DNA. These plasmids were sent for sequencing, where the P278L mutation was confirmed.

The transformation of E. coli using plasmid DNA was a success. The positive control plate had a near lawn of blue colonies growing on the plate. This indicated that the E. coli cells took up the plasmid and became ampicillin resistant. The blue colonies formed because the cells were able to produce β galactoisdase and in presence of X-gal the colonies turned blue. There were light blue colonies formed near the edge of the plate. This could due to the lower concentration of X-gal near the edge of the plate so those colonies were not really blue. In addition, there were too many colonies to count so we estimated the transformation efficiency of the positive control to be around 2000 units/μg. On the other hand, the negative is shown in figure

In preparing for the bacterial transformation, DNA plasmid is introduced into the E. coli cells that will express newly acquired genes. Two tubes were used and labeled both as +pGLO and -pGLO. A solution of (CaCl2) was transferred 250 µl onto the two tubes. The tubes were placed on the ice. A sterile loop was then used to gather a single colony of bacteria from a starter plate. Now, that both tubes contain bacteria they were placed on the ice for 10 minutes. Four agar plates were labeled as: +pGLO LB/amp, +pGLO LB/amp/ara, +pGLO LB, -PGLO LB/amp. Heat shock was used to transfer both the +pGLO and -pGLO, at exactly 42°C. Time was observed for 50 seconds and quickly return the tubes to the ice for another 2 minutes. As the tubes, cold down they

The transformation experiment successfully altered the ampicillin resistance of E. coli through the incorporation of the pGLO

This mutagenesis kit can make point mutations, replace certain amino acids, and delete or insert adjacent amino acids, making it an incredibly powerful tool. First, the mutant strand is synthesized by denaturing the DNA template and anneal the mutagenic primer(s) and then incorporated using DNA polymerase. A mutated plasmid is created and then digested by Dpn I endonuclease and transformed into competent cells for cell nick repair (Agilent, n.d.).

This was done by using DNA ligation and E.Coli transformation. We looked at agar plates to analyze which one of E.coli cell strains took up the vector alone of the vector containing the gene of interest. Four agar plates were used in this laboratory which were labeled Ligation, pGEM- T Positive Control, Competent Cells Negative Control, and Competent Cells Positive Control. Reagents were used such as DNA Ligase Buffer, SOC Media, Ampicillin, IPTG, and X-Gal. Ligation was performed using 2X ligation buffer, DNA Mix, T4 DNA Ligase and sterile dH2O. Then the transformation of E. coli occurred in which our 4 LB agar plates were prepared with the corresponding amount of IPTG, X-Gal and ampicillin gene. The next step was pipetting the content into the corresponding plates and SOC media was added.The transformation tubes consent were placed on the agar plates using a spreader. The plates were incubated at 37 Celsius and then will be stored at 4 degrees Celsius.The ligation plate was prepared by adding 100 µL of IPTG, 50 µL of X-Gal and Ampicillin. In the ligation plate, the expected color to be see was blue. However, in our ligation plate, we were seeing both blue and white colonies. Blue cells indicate that the cells take up the vector alone in the presence of IPTG and X-Gal due to Beta- Galactosidase expression. IPTG or

This experiment was performed to test the hypothesis if LB nutrient broth, +pGLO and -pGLO Ampicillin, and Arabinose was placed in the E. coli plates, then there will be a significant growth in the newly transformed bacteria and it will possess the ability to glow under UV light. The measurements were recorded from the bent glass tube in each glass test tube. The transformation protocol tested for the newly possessed traits in E.coli bacteria. Throughout the experiment there were many probable reasons for failure. If the pipettes and sterile loop were not thrown out in between each use, a cross contamination could cause a miscalculation in the experiment causing the data results to fail. The hypothesis that was tested was validated due to the positive results with each experiment stating that newly transformed organisms due in fact pass on traits.