Transformation and gel wet lab
Thu, Apr 29, 2027 · Week 15 · Biotechnology for Health (Biomedical Innovations)
Today's goal: Run a bacterial transformation and a gel electrophoresis to separate DNA fragments.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Transformation results (colony counts):
- Cells + plasmid, antibiotic agar: 84 colonies
- Cells + plasmid, plain agar: lawn (too many to count)
- Cells, no plasmid, antibiotic agar: 0 colonies
- Cells, no plasmid, plain agar: lawn
Gel setup: Lane 1 = DNA ladder, Lane 2 = uncut plasmid, Lane 3 = plasmid cut with one enzyme, Lane 4 = plasmid cut with two enzymes.
Raw band measurements (distance migrated from well):
- Lane 3: one band at 22 mm
- Lane 4: bands at 18 mm and 31 mm
Comparison to prediction: My pre-lab predicted no growth on the no-plasmid antibiotic plate, and I observed 0 colonies, which matches. The single-cut lane showing one band also matches the prediction that cutting a circular plasmid once gives one linear fragment.
| Condition | Plasmid | Antibiotic | Colony count |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Yes | Yes | 84 |
| B | Yes | No | Lawn |
| C | No | Yes | 0 |
| D | No | No | Lawn |
Also due today: Submit your lab notebook data page in the course LMS by end of class.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.