Competent Cells

Competent cells are microbial cells that can readily take up foreign DNA from their surroundings through a process called transformation. Commercial competent cells are generally bacteria or yeast that have been artificially induced for competence. One common type is a chemically competent cell, which uses heating and chemical treatment (generally with calcium chloride) to facilitate the uptake of exogenous DNA. Electrocompetent cells on the other hand rely on electric pulses to briefly create openings in the cell membrane for DNA entry. This is also known as electroporation. Competent cells are a staple component of molecular cloning, enabling investigations in gene expression, protein expression, and more. Visit the supplier page for more product information, including transformation method and cellular specifications.