Activity 8: Liquid Bacterial Transformation
Source:
A Sourcebook of Biotechnology Activities. 1990. National
Association of Biology Teachers. North Carolina Biotechnology
Center
Purpose:
In order to simulate how UV radiation can affect DNA,
students will conduct an experiment that changes the genotype of
bacteria into an observable phenotype. First students demonstrate
that normal E.coli cells are unable to grow on a culture
containing an antibiotic called ampicillin. Students then alter
the bacterial DNA or 'transform' E.coli cells, enabling the
bacterial cells to grow on ampicillin culture.
Materials:
- Refrigerator
- autoclave or pressure cooker
- hot water faucet
- ice (crushed or broken up if possible)
- agar culture plates
- E. coli (Order a slant culture and streak 1 plate for every
two lab teams.)
- 10% Lysol or Clorox sterilizing solution
For each lab team
- inoculating loop
- 5 sterile, empty 15 ml culture tubes, or sterile test tubes
(13xlOOmm)
- marking pencil
- 3 sterile, calibrated droppers (approximately 4 ml
capacity)
- centigrade thermometer
- 15 ml sterile, stock supplies of both
- Luria broth (LB) and LB+ampicillin (LB+amp)
- 5 ml of 50 mM calcium chloride solution
Time Frame:
3 Days
Procedure/Assessment
WV IGO'S