Bacterial Transformation

Bacterial transformation, a fundamental process in molecular biology, plays a pivotal role in genetic engineering and research. This process involves the uptake and incorporation of foreign DNA into bacterial cells, resulting in heritable genetic changes. Initially discovered in the 1920s by Frederick Griffith, bacterial transformation has since become a cornerstone technique for manipulating and studying genes. By harnessing the natural ability of bacteria to uptake DNA from their environment, scientists can introduce desired genetic material into bacterial cells, facilitating the production of recombinant proteins, the study of gene function, and the development of novel biotechnological applications.