DNA Isolation and Transformation in Escherichia coli: An Introduction

The exercise in this chapter is designed for students in the early years of an undergraduate course who have just been introduced to the basic concepts of genetic engineering in theory and would like to supplement their knowledge with practical experience. Many DNA manipulations, however, make use of equipment that is unsuitable for introductory classes with possibly large numbers of students, and require more time than that available in already full timetables. This experiment, therefore, was designed to give students their first feel of handling DNA, though using only the most basic laboratory equipment, and has been carefully organized to fit into a 3-h period. It provides an excellent introduction to the more sophisticated procedures found elsewhere in this volume.