The Transformation Of E. Coli

E. coli HB101 was transformed with pGLO plasmid then grown on media containing ampicillin and/or arabinose and on medium containing neither (Brown, 2011). This is done for selection of transformed cells since not all cells are expected to take up the plasmid (Brown, 2011). We also expect roughly the same CFU on any plate(s) receiving samples from the same microcentrifuge tube, since they are getting the exact same

This lab is about moving genes from one thing to another using plasmids. Plasmid has the ability to replicate, so it replicates independently, and separately from the chromosomal DNA. Plasmid are one or more small piece of DNA and they enter cells as a double strand DNA. When they enter the cell as a doubke strand they do not invade he chromosomal DNA. We will also transform bacteria into GFP which is mainly from the jelly fish Aequorea Victoria. The GFP causes the the jelly fish to fluorescent and glow in the dark. After the transformation, bacteria starts to make the GFP which causes them to glow a green color under a ultraviolet light.

To do a transformation one micro test tube was labeled +pGLO and the other was labeled –pGLO, using a transfer pipette 250 µL of transformation solution was added to each tube in the foam rack. The tubes were then placed on ice for three minutes. During these three minutes, a sterile loop was used to pick up a single colony of E. Coli from the starter plate by gently running the loop over the agar. This loop was then inserted into the +pGLO tube and the loop was spun until the entire colony dispersed. Using a different sterile loop, the same procedure was used for the –pGLO tube. After both tubes had their own colony of E. Coli, they were placed on ice for another three minutes. DNA plasmid was added to the +pGLO tube by taking a new sterile loop and immersing it into the stock tube creating a film across the loop then inserting

This experiment was performed to assess the efficacy of genetic transformations on bacteria via plasmid DNA coding for ampicillin resistance and green fluorescent protein. Genetic transformation was studied by taking transformed and untransformed Escherichia Coli (E. coli) and placing them on various media to observe gene expression via growth and color under UV light. The transformed E. coli were able to grow on ampicillin while the untransformed E. coli, which lacked the plasmid genes for ampicillin resistance, only grew on nutrient broth. In the presence of arabinose, the transformed E. coli glowed green. These results support the previous scientific understanding of bacterial competency, vectors, and gene expression and support gene transformations as an effective method to transfer the desirable DNA of one organism into another organism’s DNA. These results can be applied to real world issues such as medical treatments, food production, and environmental conservation.

Our research on recombinant DNA mainly consisted of two experiments: Transformation and gel electrophoresis. In our first experiment, four microfuge tubes were given to us: pKAN DNA, pAMP DNA, unknown DNA, and a TE buffer without DNA. The two positive controls, pKAN and pAMP, consisted of an antibiotic resistance gene respectively to their name. The pKAN plasmid contained the gene resistance for kanamycin while pAMP carried the gene resistance for ampicillin. The negative control, TE, only contained buffer without DNA. The fourth tube was our unknown plasmid, which was either pKAN or pAMP; and by way of artificial transformation, we would be able to initiate the identification of our unknown plasmid.

If a gene that codes for Green Fluorescent Protein transforms bacteria and GFP glows when transformation occurs, then when two micro test tubes have 250 microliters of transformation solution and places in an ice bath, then 2-4 bacteria colonies are added to each tube with a sterile loop; then a plasmid (pGLO) is added to one of the tubes, incubated in ice for 10 minutes, then heat shocked for 50 seconds at 42 degrees Celsius, then back into 9ice for two minutes; then LB nutrient broth is added to both tubes (250 microliters) and set out at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then, 100 microliters of each solution in the tube are added to four

Genetic transformation occurs when an organism’s genetic makeup is altered due to the introduction of new genetic information which is then incorporated into the organism’s genome. In this lab the pGLO plasmid is introduced into E. Coli bacteria, and incorporates the genes which code for the GFP and beta lactamase to the bacteria’s genome which as a result will be modified. To test the effects of the plasmid, bacteria treated with the plasmid were grown on separate plates, the first containing LB nutrient broth and ampicillin, another containing LB nutrient broth and arabinose and another containing LB nutrient broth, ampicillin and arabinose. Two more plates were grown, one with LB nutrient broth and ampicillin and the other with only the LB broth, using cells that did not contain the plasmid. Since the lab was about genetic transformation, the goal was to find which plate would glow. It was found that the plates that were not exposed to the plasmid did not glow, and the plates containing LB and arabinose and LB, ampicillin and arabinose did glow. The plates containing ampicillin, the antibiotic that kills E. coli did not grow whereas the remaining plates at least had some growth.

The goal of this experiment was to create a “super e. coli,” as mentioned in the introduction, by co-transforming the pKan and pGlo plasmids. Since the e. coli were not able to absorb both plasmids at the same time, it can be noted that the transformation did not work. The plates containing the pKan and pGlo plasmids separately demonstrated a successful transformation, indicating the bacteria’s inability to take in two plasmids at the same time. Both of these plates acted as our controls, so in the end we could

Coli bacteria, and mix it with the plasmid. We can select the bacteria that are resistant by introducing ampicillin. Bacteria that are not resistant to ampicillin dies. The screening of the bacteria with the resistance occurs when the bla gene turns on to produce beta lactamase which will kill the antibiotic ampicillin. After this, we can get the plasmid into the bacterial cell through the process of horizontal gene transfer through transformation. This can be done by a cold treatment in an ionic solution, then a heat shock where it increases membrane fluidity to take up the plasmid into the bacteria cell. In order to know if the EPAS1-TD gene product was produced by the bacteria, we have to perform a Western Blot. We do this by extracting the protein and run it through gel electrophoresis to separate the proteins by their size. We then label the proteins with the colored probe based on their size. We can detect the EPAS1-TD gene being produced based on the colored

This experiment was completed to conduct bacterial transformation and introduce ampicillin resistant DNA plasmid to E. coli bacterial cells. Observations are made of the difference in cell growth due to various environments provided within agar

While this experiment was done very carefully, there were a few errors that were made during the experiment. For instance, while a group member was putting the transformation fluid into the microcentrifuge tubes, they accidentally tried to obtain the fluid without a sterile tip and this could have possibly had the micropipette obtain the wrong amount of fluids afterwards. Also, when retrieving the E. coli colony, a group member scooped up an entire colony instead of half of it, so there were two different bacterium colonies used in this

To start this laboratory, it must first label two transformation tubes of different color; one with – DNA and the other with + DNA. Then, using a P-1000 micropipette adds 250 ul of the ice cold transformation solution (CaCl2) into each tube and places both tubes on ice. Using a disposable sterile inoculating loop to transfer colonies of E. coli bacteria from the starter plate to the +DNA tube. Immerse the loop in the CaCl2 solution in the transformation tube and spin the loop until all bacteria is incorporated into the transformation solution. Repeat this step with the – DNA tube. Using a P-10 pipette, transfer 10 ul of pGLO directly into the + DNA tube. Tap the tube lightly with a finger to mix. Place both tubes onto ice, and incubate for 10 minutes.

Tiffany O’Connor                                                         November 9th, 2017              Plasmid Transformation      Purpose: Plasmid transformation is the process of transferring foreign exogenous DNA into a host cell to change its phenotype.   Theory and Background: Plasma transformation can occur naturally when a cell alters its genetics by taking in DNA from its environment. Genetic transformation can also be induced in a laboratory setting, called artificial transformation. Artificial transformation is accomplished by choosing a competent bacterium and introducing a plasmid.   E. Coli is the bacteria used in this lab.

The purpose of this lab is to use genetic engineering to transform E. coli bacteria by inserting the plasmid pGLO, and to then see if the bacteria was transformed by using the antibiotic, ampicillin.

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.