In: Biology
What is the purpose of a transformation control with pGAP?
During transformation experiment, transformation controls have to be included. These are positive and negative controls. In positive control, instead of the plasmid containing the foreign DNA of interest, a standard supercoiled plasmid is used. In negative control, no DNA is added in the transformation mixture.
The transformation control with pGAP is the positive control. This plasmid does not have the foreign DNA inserted but can be easily taken up by the host cells during transformation. This transformation control helps to measure the efficiency of transformation. Transformation efficiency is the number of bacteria seen after transformation per 1 microgram of plasmid DNA used. It also helps to understand how adequate the transformation protocol was. This control indicates whether the transformation was successful. If no transformation occurs with positive control, then it can be said that transformation has not occurred. It can also act as a standard to compare the efficiency of the test transformation.