E. Coli Transformation Lab Report

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Amir Ahemedin Ms.Buckley Genetics 11/06/15 Transformation of E.coli Lab Purpose The purpose of this lab is to genetically engineer the E.coli strain by introducing two genes, the green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) and the ampicillin resistant gene (AMP). Then observe whether or not the E.Coli strain would take up these genes and become fluorescent. Background Information In this lab, bacterial transformation was one of the three processes that occurred when genetic material is introduced to a bacterial cell. Bacterial transformation is important because it allows for the cloning and movement of DNA between strains. This transformation usually occurs within plasmids, which are closed circular molecules made up of double stranded DNA. The function of the plasmid is to provide bacteria with genetic advantages such as antibiotic resistance. In this lab, the plasmids provided the ampicillin resistance and the fluorescence. If the bacterial cells are grown in the presence of the antibiotic ampicillin then only the cells that took up the plasmid have the resistance gene. As a result the resistance gene will have to keep the plasmid and the GFP gene. The other thing that plasmids …show more content…

Many scientist today cut portions of DNA with restriction enzymes and include a piece of new genetic material into the bacterial cells. The only way this transformation can take place is if the bacteria is competent and is grown to the right stage in which they are dividing the most. In order for this to happen,one would treat the bacterial cells with Calcium Chloride (CaCl2). The bacteria used in this lab was E.Coli and it was an ideal bacteria because it can be easily grown on agar. Hypothesis The transformed E.Coli with the ampicillin resistance gene will be able to grow in the ampicillin plates and it would have a green glowing color.

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