The Glowing Belly of a Sea Jelly

Introduction:
In this lab we will be completing a genetic transformation by taking the gene that codes for Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and inserting it into the DNA of bacteria. Green Fluorescent Protein is found in sea jellys and we will take it to create glowing bacteria. Bacteria contains plasmids which are circular pieces of DNA. These plasmids usually contain genes that code for traits in bacteria and have the ability to transfer back and forth between bacteria. We will be inserting pGLO, a plasmid that codes for the GFP gene into the E. coli cells. The new genetically modified E. coli cells will then glow. To get the pGLO plasmid through the cell membrane we will need to use a solution of CaCl2 and use heat shock. Then to get the newly transformed cells to grow we will provide nutrients and incubate them. This will eventually make the cells start to express their fluorescent gene.