How can bacterial transformation be used in technology?

Question

Ivy Acosta · Accepted Answer

Today, bacterial transformation is one of the most widely carried out procedures in molecular biology but not necessarily found in natural environments.

Bacterial transformation occurs when bacteria take up and incorporate of genetic material (exogenous DNA) from its surroundings and taken up through the cell membrane and incorporate it into it's own DNA.

In doing this, only a few bacteria will take up the genes that are of interest. Included with the gene that codes for the protein, it also will include a gene for antibiotic resistance.

To make a pure culture, an antibiotic will be added to the culture which normally the bacteria are sensitive to. All will die off except the ones that are "transformed". These will be allowed to grown large amounts.

Transformation evolved as a nutrient-uptake system, especially because unrelated DNA is abundant in the environments of many naturally transformable bacteria. New information suggests that the uptake of DNA from dead bacteria is most likely for use as "food". The idea that the uptake produced in natural environments is primarily to change the up taking bacteria's DNA by adding genes is not usual.

The proteins of interest include insulin, human growth hormone, digestive hormones plus plant hormones. These when made in great amounts can be used in technology.

Benjamin Alvin · Answer

undefined Bacterial transformation is employed in technology for genetic engineering purposes, such as the creation of genetically modified organisms and the production of recombinant proteins. It involves introducing foreign DNA into bacteria, allowing them to express specific traits or produce desired substances.