
What are the two methods of bacterial transformation?
The two most popular methods of bacterial transformation are (1) heat shock of chemically prepared competent cells (chemical transformation), and (2) electroporation of electrocompetent cells. The choice depends on the transformation efficiency required, experimental goals, and available resources (see competent cell selection).
Why are bacteria used for DNA transformation?
Bacterial transformation. Bacteria are commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers.
What is transformation in microbiology?
1 Bacteria can take up foreign DNA in a process called transformation. 2 Transformation is a key step in DNA cloning. ... 3 After transformation, bacteria are selected on antibiotic plates. ... 4 Colonies with the right plasmid can be grown to make large cultures of identical bacteria, which are used to produce plasmid or make protein.
What is the process of plasmid transformation in bacteria?
The plasmid containing the foreign DNA is now ready to be inserted into bacteria. This process is called transformation. Before transformation, bacteria are treated with a chemical called calcium chloride, which causes water to enter into the cells and makes them swell. These swollen bacteria are then known as competent bacteria.

What treatment produces transformed bacteria?
calcium chlorideBefore transformation, bacteria are treated with a chemical called calcium chloride, which causes water to enter into the cells and makes them swell. These swollen bacteria are then known as competent bacteria.
What happens when a bacteria is transformed?
In transformation, the DNA (usually in the form of a plasmid) is introduced into a competent strain of bacteria, so that the bacteria may then replicate the sequence of interest in amounts suitable for further analysis and/or manipulation.
How can bacterial transformation efficiency be improved?
Generally, all divalent cations enhance the transformation process. Hanahan (1983) found that the presence of magnesium in bacterial culture media increases the transformation efficiency by 15- to 20-folds as compared to the cells grown in the absence of magnesium.
What is the general transformation procedure?
There are four steps in transformation: development of competence, binding of DNA to the cell surface, processing and uptake of free DNA (usually in a 3' to 5' direction), and. integration of the DNA into the chromosome by recombination.
What happens to bacteria after transformation?
After transformation, bacteria are selected on antibiotic plates. Bacteria with a plasmid are antibiotic-resistant, and each one will form a colony. Colonies with the right plasmid can be grown to make large cultures of identical bacteria, which are used to produce plasmid or make protein.
Why are bacteria placed on antibiotic plates?
Thus, all of the bacteria are placed on an antibiotic plate to select for ones that took up a plasmid. Diagram of a plasmid. The plasmid contains an antibiotic resistance gene, a promoter to drive gene expression in bacteria, and the target gene inserted during the ligation. Bacteria without a plasmid die.
What is a plasmid factory?
In some cases, bacteria are simply used as "plasmid factories," making lots of plasmid DNA. The plasmid DNA might be used in further DNA cloning steps (e.g., to build more complex plasmids) or in various types of experiments. In some cases, plasmids are directly used for practical purposes.
How do bacteria express genes?
If a plasmid contains the right control sequences, bacteria can be induced to express the gene it contains when a chemical signal is added. Expression of the gene leads to production of mRNA, which is translated into protein. The bacteria can then be lysed (split open) to release the protein.
What is a cluster of identical plasmid-containing bacteria called?
Each bacterium with a plasmid gives rise to a cluster of identical, plasmid-containing bacteria called a colony. Several colonies are checked to identify one with the right plasmid (e.g., by PCR or restriction digest). A colony containing the right plasmid is grown in bulk and used for plasmid or protein production.
What is the process of taking up foreign DNA?
Key points: Bacteria can take up foreign DNA in a process called transformation. Transformation is a key step in DNA cloning. It occurs after restriction digest and ligation and transfers newly made plasmids to bacteria. After transformation , bacteria are selected on antibiotic plates.
How is a colony grown into a large culture?
A chosen colony is grown up into a large culture. The bacteria in the large culture are induced to express the target gene through addition of a chemical signal to the culture medium. Inside each bacterium, the target gene is transcribed into mRNA, and the mRNA is translated into protein.
What is the process of bacterial transformation?
Bacterial transformation, as mentioned above, means the uptake of DNA molecules through the cell wall from the external surroundings, followed by stable incorporation into the recipient genome, or replication as an independent plasmid. Some bacterial species have evolved specific mechanisms ( competence) for the uptake and recombination of external DNA; this sometimes involves the degradation of one strand of the incoming DNA and incorporation of the other strand into the chromosome in a type of homologous recombination. Sometimes this uptake is dependent on the presence of a high enough concentration of cells locally (a quorum-sensing mechanism). In some cases the cells will only take up DNA that include a short specific sequence that is also present in the recipient's genome, thus making it more likely that the DNA taken up comes from a closely related source. To enable laboratory manipulations, even naturally noncompetent bacteria can in some cases (e.g., E. coli) be induced by calcium treatment or electric shock to take up DNA.
Why is bacteria dispersal important?
Bacterial dispersal is considered a key factor for efficient biodegradation in soil as it increases the contact probability between bacteria and contaminants ( Harms & Wick, 2006; Semple, Doick, Wick, & Harms, 2007 ).
Can bacteria be manipulated?
In the laboratory, bacteria that are not naturally competent for transformation can be manipulated into taking up foreign DNA. Research on transformation has taught us how to clone a gene from one organism and express that gene in another organism.
Is S pneumoniae a model organism?
The study of bacterial transformation with the aid of S. pneumoniae as a model organism has proven to be an invaluable tool that has offered countless advancements in science. More specifically, the study of transformation in S. pneumoniae has given rise to what we now refer to as molecular biology.
What is the process of bacterial transformation?
Bacterial transformation is based on the natural ability of bacteria to release DNA which is then taken up by another competent bacterium. The success of transformation depends on the competence of the host cell. Competence is the ability of a cell to incorporate naked DNA in the process of transformation.
What is the process of transferring DNA from a donor bacterium to the extracellular environment?
Bacterial transformation is the transfer of free DNA released from a donor bacterium into the extracellular environment that results in assimilation and usually an expression of the newly acquired trait in a recipient bacterium. This process doesn’t require a living donor cell and only requires free DNA in the environment.
What is the function of plasmids in transformation?
Plasmid encodes some enzymes and antibiotic-resistant markers which are later expressed in the transformant after transformation. In this process of transformation, the donor DNA is first inserted into the plasmid. The plasmid containing the donor DNA is then inserted into the competent host bacteria.
How to detect plasmids in bacteria?
After the transformation is completed, the bacteria containing the plasmid can be detected either by using a growth media supplemented with a particular antibiotic.
What are the steps of DNA transformation?
There are four steps in transformation: development of competence, binding of DNA to the cell surface, processing and uptake of free DNA (usually in a 3’ to 5’ direction), and. integration of the DNA into the chromosome by recombination.
What is the most common method of gene transfer?
Transformation is adopted as the most common method of gene transfer as it is the best way for the transfer of artificially altered DNA into recipient cells. The process of transformation can transfer DNA regions of one to tens of kilobases.
What is the ability of a cell to incorporate naked DNA in the process of transformation?
Competence is the ability of a cell to incorporate naked DNA in the process of transformation. Organisms that are naturally transformable spontaneously release their DNA in the late stationary phase via autolysis.
What is the purpose of bacterial transformation?
Bacterial transformation is a key step in molecular cloning, the goal of which is to produce multiple copies of a recombinant DNA molecule. Prior steps for creating recombinant plasmids are described in traditional cloning basics and involve insertion of a DNA sequence of interest into a vector backbone. In transformation, the DNA (usually in the form of a plasmid) is introduced into a competent strain of bacteria, so that the bacteria may then replicate the sequence of interest in amounts suitable for further analysis and/or manipulation.
Which bacteria are used in cloning?
E. coli is the most common bacterial species used in the transformation step of a cloning workflow. Since the natural competency of E. coli is very low or even nonexistent, the cells need to be made competent for transformation by heat shock or by electroporation.
How to avoid carryover of agar?
Avoid carryover of agar during preparation of electrocompetent cells. Make sure no air bubbles are present in the electroporation cuvette. Dispense the cells directly to the bottom of the cuvette. After transformation, unused competent cells (prepared for either method) may be refrozen.
How long does it take to heat shock a plasmid?
Heat shock is performed at 37–42°C for 25–45 seconds as appropriate for the bacterial strain and DNA used.
What is DNA transformation?
In transformation, the DNA (usually in the form of a plasmid) is introduced into a competent strain of bacteria, so that the bacteria may then replicate the sequence of interest in amounts suitable for further analysis and/or manipulation.
How long does it take for DNA to be mixed with plasmid DNA?
First, cells are incubated with DNA on ice for 5–30 minutes in a polypropylene tube.
What is the process of bacterial transformation?
Bacterial transformation, as mentioned above, means the uptake of DNA molecules through the cell wall from the external surroundings, followed by stable incorporation into the recipient genome, or replication as an independent plasmid. Some bacterial species have evolved specific mechanisms ( competence) for the uptake and recombination of external DNA; this sometimes involves the degradation of one strand of the incoming DNA and incorporation of the other strand into the chromosome in a type of homologous recombination. Sometimes this uptake is dependent on the presence of a high enough concentration of cells locally (a quorum-sensing mechanism). In some cases the cells will only take up DNA that include a short specific sequence that is also present in the recipient's genome, thus making it more likely that the DNA taken up comes from a closely related source. To enable laboratory manipulations, even naturally noncompetent bacteria can in some cases (e.g., E. coli) be induced by calcium treatment or electric shock to take up DNA.
What is the study of transformation in S. pneumoniae?
The study of bacterial transformation with the aid of S. pneumoniae as a model organism has proven to be an invaluable tool that has offered countless advancements in science. More specifically, the study of transformation in S. pneumoniae has given rise to what we now refer to as molecular biology. In the laboratory, bacteria that are not naturally competent for transformation can be manipulated into taking up foreign DNA. Research on transformation has taught us how to clone a gene from one organism and express that gene in another organism. The genesis of molecular biology ‘revolutionized the biological sciences’.
What is transformation in bacteria?
According to Griffith, the DNA or gene transfer can occur either naturally or artificially from one type of bacteria to another. For example, Transformation of non-virulent strain to a virulent cell or vice versa.
What strain of bacteria did Griffith use?
In his first experiment, Griffith used a rough strain of Streptococcus pneumonia ( R-II) and injected it into the mice. After doing this, he observed that the R-II strain of bacteria did not affect the mice and the mice lived. Therefore, Griffith named R-II strain as an “ Avirulent strain ”.
What strain of S-III was injected into mice?
Therefore, Griffith named S-III strain as a “ Virulent strain ”. In the third experiment, Griffith used smooth or virulent S-III and subjected it to the heat to destroy the virulence. Then, he injected the heat-killed S-III strain into the mice.
What strains were used in the Griffith experiment?
Further, he observed two different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and named it as S-III and R-II strain.
What happens when a cell becomes competent?
Therefore, when a cell becomes competent, it can take up the exogenous DNA from the donor’s cell. In the process of transformation, competence can be of two types: Natural competence. Artificial competence.
What is the process of taking up DNA strands?
Transformation can define as the process of taking up of an extracellular or free DNA strand of one bacterial cell ( donor’s cell) by the competent bacterial cell ( recipient’s cell ). The taking up of the DNA strand occurs either by natural or artificial means. The transformation occurs mostly in the closely related species.
What is the role of competence in transformation?
Competence. To carry out the transformation process, the bacteria should be competent to take up the free DNA. Competence can define as the physiological state, where a recipient cell is in a state where it can respond to the environmental conditions such as starvation and cell density. Therefore, when a cell becomes competent, ...

Bacterial Transformation Definition
Bacterial Transformation Principle
- Bacterial transformation is based on the natural ability of bacteria to release DNA which is then taken up by another competent bacterium.
- The success of transformation depends on the competence of the host cell. Competence is the ability of a cell to incorporate naked DNA in the process of transformation
- Organisms that are naturally transformable spontaneously release their DNA in the late statio…
- Bacterial transformation is based on the natural ability of bacteria to release DNA which is then taken up by another competent bacterium.
- The success of transformation depends on the competence of the host cell. Competence is the ability of a cell to incorporate naked DNA in the process of transformation
- Organisms that are naturally transformable spontaneously release their DNA in the late stationary phase via autolysis.
- Several bacteria, including Escherichia coli, can be artificially treated in the laboratory to increase their transformability by chemicals, such as calcium, or by applying a strong electric field...
Bacterial Transformation Steps
- Figure: Key steps in the process of bacterial transformation: (1) competent cell preparation, (2) transformation of cells, (3) cell recovery, and (4) cell plating. Image Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific. 1. There are four steps in transformation: 1.1. development of competence, 1.2. binding of DNA to the cell surface, 1.3. processing and uptake of free DNA (usually in a 3’ to 5’ direction)…
Examples of Bacterial Transformation
- The first and most prominent example of bacterial transformation is the transformation of DNA from smooth capsule-positive colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniato the rough capsule-negative colonies....
- Neisseria and H. influenzaetake up DNA from their own species which occurs by species-specific recognition.
- The first and most prominent example of bacterial transformation is the transformation of DNA from smooth capsule-positive colonies of Streptococcus pneumoniato the rough capsule-negative colonies....
- Neisseria and H. influenzaetake up DNA from their own species which occurs by species-specific recognition.
- Natural bacterial transformation is also observed in the case of B. subtilis.
References
- Verma PS and Agarwal VK (3005). Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Ecology. Multicolored Edition.
- McGee, David & Coker, Christopher & Harro, Janette & Mobley, Harry. (2001). Bacterial Genetic Exchange. Doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0001416.
- Griffiths AJF, Miller JH, Suzuki DT, et al. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis. 7th edition. Ne…
- Verma PS and Agarwal VK (3005). Cell Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Evolution and Ecology. Multicolored Edition.
- McGee, David & Coker, Christopher & Harro, Janette & Mobley, Harry. (2001). Bacterial Genetic Exchange. Doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0001416.
- Griffiths AJF, Miller JH, Suzuki DT, et al. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis. 7th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. Bacterial transformation.Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bo...
- https://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=3&brch=77&sim=1107&cnt=1
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