Description
With this bacterial transformation kit, students modify E. coli to become bioluminescent by inducing and expressing the same genes that cause marine V. fischeri to glow in the ocean. The plasmid in this kit, pVIB, was produced by removing the genes involved in the production of light (known as lux genes) from V. fischeri .
After E. coli uptakes the plasmid, the bacteria will glow in the dark and illuminate your students’ understanding of transformation as a result. Kit includes a voucher to request perishable materials later at your convenience. Contact us or return the voucher to request delivery of perishable materials.
Note: Bacteria transformed with the pVIB plasmid must be grown at 30° C or less for the glowing to be seen.
Product Features
- Designed for 8 student groups/lab stations
- Plasmid contains gene for ampicillin resistance
Time Requirement
Teacher prep, prepare LB agar plates and streak start plates. Performing lab, approximately one to two 60-minute class periods. Post lab results, approximately one 60-minute class period.
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that include a teacherÕs manual, student guide, fill-in answer sheets, whiteboard resources, videos, interactive digital prelab activity, and more.
Performance Expectation(s)
- HS-LS1-1
- HS-LS3-1
Crosscutting Concepts
Cause and Effect
Disciplinary Core Ideas
HS LS1.A: Structure and Function
Science and Engineering Practices
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Learning Objectives
- Explain how one organism can be genetically engineered to produce a protein from a different organism.
- Draw connections between the techniques performed in this laboratory and the development of current critical pharmaceuticals.
- Explain the use and importance of selective marker genes in a bacterial transformation.
- Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
- Students should have a basic knowledge of cell structure and function, cell wall and membrane structure and function, and a working knowledge of protein synthesis.