HTGAA Class 6a: Transformation, Primer Design

​Genetic design involves modifying an organism’s DNA to deliberately change a characteristic of the organism for a particular purpose. This class demonstrates the power and simplicity of genetic design by adding a gene to the non-hazardous bacteria so that it glows fluorescently with a Jellyfish gene.

​​Bacteria and all organisms need to make proteins to survive. Proteins are tiny nanomachines that do everything from control our metabolism to keeping our heart beating. In order to make a protein a cell uses the DNA code. Each 3 letters of DNA codes for a single amino acid and proteins are just chains of amino acids. This kit contains DNA with a gene that codes for the Jellyfish GFP protein. This protein fluoresces and glows when you shine blue light on it. We will insert the DNA into some bacteria, which is called bacterial transformation.

​​Bacteria

​​The bacteria used in this kit is called Escherichia coli (non-hazardous). This bacteria is commonly used in genetic design. Your non-hazardous form of E. coli has been optimized for taking up new genes.

​​Plasmid

​​A plasmid is a small piece of DNA that is connected in a circle. They usually only contain a few genes. These small DNA circles are easy to insert into bacteria. The plasmid supplied with this kit contains a gene to express the Jellyfish GFP protein.

​​Bacterial Transformation experiment:

​​If you’d like, watch this video about E. coli transformation- it will help you understand how it works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wnd7PchbCw