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Plasmid Transformation Of E. Coli

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Plasmid transformation of E. coli using pVIB
Savannah Jacobs
April 4th, 2016
BIO 335 Spring 2016
Dr. Koester Abstract Since bacteria are haploid, asexually reproducing organisms it is important for these organisms to be able to accept genetic variability into their genome. A process called transformation, which involves absorbing small segments of DNA from deceased organisms in the natural world, does this. Transformation can also be mimicked in the laboratory using plasmid. Plasmids are small segments of DNA that occur in bacteria that allow us to regulate if transformation was successful. We attempted transformation of E. coli cells using plasmid called pVIB, which allows for luminescence and resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin, from Vibrio fischeri, however, we did not achieve a successful transformation.
Introduction
Some organisms, such as bacteria, have the ability to transform into a new form by picking up small segments of DNA from other organisms. This process is known as transformation and happens quite often in nature. Quite often organisms die and release their DNA into aqueous environments. The DNA is broken down but it is a while before it is fully destroyed allowing for bacteria cells and other organisms to transform their own DNA using the broken down segments from the deceased organism (Dodd). Transformation is an extremely important step in increasing genetic variation in organisms that reproduce asexually, allowing for them to make both

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