Genetic transformation is the splicing of a gene from one organism to another. A plasmid is needed and the cell walls need to be made permeable to the gene through CaCL2 and heat and cold. The pGLO plasmid contains GFP (green fluorescent protein) and ampicillin resistance gene. Ampicillin resistance gives the plasmid the passive ability to withstand ampicillin, so it is not killed by the antibiotic. E.Coli was grown on plates with amp because if the amp killed the E.coli, we knew if the gene was spliced or not, and if the gene was what was making the E.coli immune to the amp. The reason we added arabinose is because arabinose makes the pGLO E.coli glow.

Hypotheses

The –pGLO E.coli on LB agar will grow, but have no glow because the glow arabinose has not been added.

The -pGLO E.coli on LB/Amp agar not grow or glow because it is not immune to amp.

The +pGLO E.coli on LB/Amp agar will grow but not glow because it is immune to amp, but it does not have arabinose.

The +pGlow E. Coli on LB/Amp/Arabinose agar will grow AND glow because it is both immune to amp and it has the glow gene.

Method

1.       Put salt buffer into four tubes.

2.       Using a sterile loop, put one colony of E. Coli in each.

3.       Put the pGLO plasmid into two of the tubes.

4.       Put all four tubes on head for one minute.

5.       Put all four tubes on ice for 3 minutes

6.       Spread E.Coli on four plates, 3 with amp, one without.

7.       Wait overnight, record results using a UV lamp to see glow.

Results:

The plates were as they appear above. They were also congruent with the hypotheses.

Transformation efficiency:  1875 (lots)

Conclusion:

       My hypotheses were supported by the data. The hypothesis that I provided are the only logical ones, seeing as the presence of Amp and Arabinose (and the – or +) were the only affecting features added to the E.Coli so the lab predictions were very straightforward.

Genetically modifying organisms can make food better and more nutritious. It can also make animals and plants have different traits that make the stronger. It could potentially create mutant killer plants. Studies have not been done on whether or not long term consumption of genetically modified plants is harmful or not as well. There are risks as well as benefits, but I think the benefits outweigh them.