Competent Cells for Easy and Efficient Transformation

Pennstate college of Medicine, Hershey Medical Centre
Pharmacology
Postdoctoral Researcher

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Quality of Results

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Company:

Zymo research

Product Name:

Mix & Go! E.coli Transformation Kit and Buffer Set

Catalog Number:

T3002

Bacterial transformation is a basic and essential step in molecular biology. Some of the traditional methods of preparing the E. coli competent cells are time-consuming and less efficient. However, this particular product from Zymo offers a simple method of competent preparation. Here I am describing the approach I use in my lab to prepare competent cells using this kit.

Experimental Design and Results Summary

Application

E.coli transformation/competent cells

Starting Material

Freshly grown E. coli culture and Zymo buffers

Tips

Grow E. coli culture at low temperature (~22 °C)

Results Summary

Freshly grown E. coli culture in zymo broth/SOB media was centrifuged. Pelleted cells were washed with Zymo buffers according to the protocol provided. Finally, cells were suspended in 3-4 ml of competent buffer, aliquoted and stored. For transformation, less than 1 µg of plasmid was added to a vial of the competent cells, mixed gently and incubated on ice for 10-15 min. Heat shock is not required at this step. Further, 100 µl of the mixture was plated. The efficiency was >10^7/µg.

DOI or PMID #

N/A

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Summary

The Good

Very quick and easy to use. High efficiency.

The Bad

Recovery step is required for kanamycin resistant plasmids

The Bottom Line

Excellent kit for efficient transformation. Quick and easy to use. Highly recommended.

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