Bacterial Transformation

By Joyce Simko, Anita Beebe, Judy King and Sr. Clare Marie Klein

Overview: What is Bacterial Transformation?

The transformation of bacteria! The genetic information of a bacterial cell actually takes in new genetic information and makes it a part of itself! It can then copy that sequence over and over and over and over and over and over.. How? Why? Stay tuned!

E. coli
Escherichia coli is the most common bacterium in the human gut. It has been extensively studied in the laboratory and is an important research organism for molecular biology. E. coli reproduce very rapidly; a single microscopic cell can divide to form a visible colony with millions of cells overnight. Like all bacteria, E. coli has no nuclear envelope surrounding the bacterial chromosome and thus no true nucleus. All of the genes required for basic survival and reproduction are found in the single chromosome.
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab6/concepts1.html

Plasmids
Plasmids are circular pieces of DNA that exist outside the main bacterial chromosome and carry their own genes for specialized functions. In genetic engineering, plasmids are one means used to introduce foreign genes into a bacterial cell. Some plasmids have the ampR gene, which confers resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin. E. coli cells containing this plasmid, can survive and form colonies on LB agar that has been supplemented with ampicillin. Cells lacking the ampR plasmid are sensitive to the antibiotic, which kills them. An ampicillin-sensitive cell can be transformed to an ampicillin-resistant cell by its uptake of a foreign plasmid containing the ampR gene. The same can be said for the lac gene, which codes for lactose. If this gene is taken in, the organism can break down lactose. To transform cells, you first need to make them competent to take up extracellular DNA. http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab6/concepts1.html

In the Beginning
God said, Let there be transformation!!! http://www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/resources/tran sformation2.html

http://www.dnatube.com/thumb/2_202.jpg

Transformation Procedure

http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab6/concepts1.html

Results

http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab6/concepts1.html

TEST TIME!!!
Place the Stages of Transformation in Order:

C,B,D,E,A

In the Classroom
STANDARDS RICH! Unique & interesting ways to expand the scientific world of students History of science (DNA Timeline) Integrates Math, Science and History Allows students to use many scientific instruments and processes Explores new methods Scientific inquiryallows students to explore Careers in science Future of Science Research

Lab Work

DNA Timeline
http://www.dnai.org/timeline/index.html

kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/ cm1504/mendel.htm

S t r e t c h i n g Our Abilities!
Working with high tech equipment: Modern Lab

Modeling GREAT Science Teaching

Active Learners with our Colleagues

Opportunity to Share Curriculum

Grow in Confidence with new Computer Knowledge

Best and Brightest Teachers

Concluding Thoughts
Thank you!!! The End!