Electroporation Transformation
Electroporation Transformation - Related Videos
12:19
Bacterial Transformation: Electroporation
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2023
The term “transformation” refers cellular ingestion of foreign DNA. In nature, transformation can occur in certain types of bacteria. In molecular biology, however, transformation is artificially induced through the creation of pores in the bacterial cell walls. Bacterial cells that are able to take up DNA from the environment are called competent cells. Electrocompetent cells can be produced in the laboratory and transformation of these cells can be achieve via the application of an...
03:33
Preparation and Transformation of Bacteria Using High-Voltage Electroporation
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2025
Source: Stefan, A., et al., The Multifaceted Benefits of Protein Co-expression in Escherichia coli. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)This video demonstrates the procedure for transforming Escherichia coli with a plasmid carrying an antibiotic resistance gene, including cell preparation, electroporation, recovery, and selection of transformants.
11:57
Electroporation of Mycobacteria
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Cited by 55 •
2008
Mycobacterial pathogenic strategies remain poorly understood. The slow growth rate of most species, the impenetrable nature of the cell-wall, and the hazards of working with pathogens make mycobacteria difficult to study and are largely responsible for our poor understanding of these organisms. In this video we will demonstrate the technique of electroporation, which involves subjecting cells to a brief high electrical impulse to allow the entry of DNA. It is the most widely used method for...
11:04
Methods for Electroporation and Transformation Confirmation in Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM20016
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Cited by 3 •
2023
Here, we present protocols for working with Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM20016, detailing growth, plasmid transformation, colony PCR, fluorescent reporter protein measurement, and limited plasmid mini-prep, as well as common issues and troubleshooting. These protocols allow the measurement of reporter proteins in DSM20016, or confirmation via colony PCR if no reporter is involved.
10:45
Genomic Transformation of the Picoeukaryote Ostreococcus tauri
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Cited by 36 •
2012
This article describes genetic transformation of the unicellular marine alga Ostreococcus tauri by electroporation. This eukaryotic organism is an effective model platform for higher plants, possesing greatly reduced genomic and cellular complexity and being readily amenable to both cell culture and chemical biology.
FAQs
The electric field temporarily changes cell-membrane permeability by disrupting its normal barrier function and producing transient pores. These openings provide a route for plasmid DNA or other foreign genetic material to pass into the cell. The membrane must then regain its integrity under suitable recovery conditions, allowing viable cells to retain the introduced genetic material.
Successful transformation depends on balancing DNA entry with cell survival. The electric pulse must be controlled so that membrane permeability increases temporarily rather than causing irreversible damage. Afterward, suitable recovery conditions allow membrane integrity to return before selective growth begins. Together, these stages influence how many treated cells remain viable and carry the introduced DNA.
Electroporation transformation uses a controlled electric field to alter membrane permeability, whereas chemical approaches rely on chemical treatment to facilitate genetic material entry. This distinction makes electroporation useful for organisms or cell types that are difficult to transform chemically. The choice of method therefore depends partly on how readily the target cells respond to each approach.
Plasmid DNA serves as the genetic material introduced into bacterial cells during the procedure. It can carry a desired sequence for gene cloning, recombinant protein production, or other functional studies. After cells receive the plasmid and recover, selective growth helps identify the bacterial population in which the introduced genetic material has been retained.
A typical bacterial workflow mixes cells with plasmid DNA, exposes the mixture to a brief controlled electric pulse, and allows the treated cells to recover. The recovered cells are then grown under selective conditions. This sequence separates DNA delivery from selection, enabling researchers to identify cells that survived treatment and acquired the intended plasmid.
Selective growth provides a practical way to identify cells associated with the introduced genetic material after recovery. Cells that do not retain the relevant plasmid are excluded under the chosen selection, while transformed cells can be detected through their growth. This outcome supports downstream cloning, recombinant protein production, and analysis of engineered bacterial populations.
The technique supports several genetic workflows, including gene cloning, recombinant protein production, genome editing, and functional studies. Its value extends beyond routine bacterial work because it can be adapted for organisms or cell types that resist chemical transformation. In biology, this flexibility helps researchers introduce genetic material when standard delivery approaches are less suitable.