miniPCR® True Blue™ Transformation Lab: Genetically Engineering Bacteria

Conduct a bacterial transformation experiment in a single 45 minutes class period!

Engage your students in one of the most widely used methods in genetic engineering using the True Blue™ bacterial transformation kit. Scientists use bacterial transformation in a wide variety of laboratory, agricultural, pharmaceutical and medical applications, from the creation of medical-grade insulin to enzymes that are used in detergents. Now you can bring this bioengineering technique to your biology class! In this lab, F.A.S.T.™ E. coli cells are transformed with a plasmid encoding a gene that causes bacteria to turn blue, allowing students to easily identify transformed cells by the color of the bacterial colonies.

This robust and straightforward lab serves as an introduction to bacterial transformation. Streamlined teacher prep and an easy-to-follow lab guide allow students to experience the fundamentals of genetic engineering.