Transformation

Transformation is the process of introducing foreign DNA into a cell, allowing the cell to express new genetic information. In biotechnology, this often involves inserting a plasmid into bacterial cells.

How it works:

Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome. Scientists insert a gene of interest into a plasmid and introduce it into a bacterial cell. This is typically done using chemical treatment or something like a heat shock, which makes the bacterial cell membrane more permeable.

Once inside the cell, the plasmid is expressed and the gene is transcribed and translated. Often, the plasmid contains a selectable marker - such as an antibiotic resistance gene - so that only transformed cells will survive on selective media.

Applications:

• Producing proteins like insulin (we've made bacterial cells that produce human insulin for us so that we can make medication for diabetics)

• Genetically modifying organisms

• Cloning genes for further study