5 replies to this topic

[ntdna]

hi .. i was wondering about plasmid cloning and exactly why some cells (E.coli bacteria for example ) take up plasmid and the others don't

[ntdna]

Why are some plasmids able to enter cells (ex: EcoRI)? What unique properties do they possess?

[bob1]

It depends on the conditions...

EcoR1 is not a plasmid.

[ntdna]

bob1, on 06 December 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

It depends on the conditions...

EcoR1 is not a plasmid.

i know ecor1 is not a plamid it's a restrction enzyme

i said Why are some plasmids able to enter cells (ex: Ecoli )? What unique properties do they possess?in plasmid cloning

[bob1]

ntdna, on 06 December 2010 - 04:34 PM, said:

bob1, on 06 December 2010 - 02:48 PM, said:

EcoR1 is not a plasmid.

i know ecor1 is not a plamid it's a restrction enzyme

They why did you call it one in your second post?

There's nothing unique about E. coli, you can easily transform many other species, E. coli is just abundant so easily obtainable.

Try reading Hanahan 1989 for reasons he used it.

Note - I'm being obtuse because this really really appears to be homework, so you should be thinking about potential reasons yourself.

[HomeBrew]

The ability to take up exogenous DNA is an evolutionary adaptation.  Think about it in these terms -- what evolutionary advantage(s) might be gained by a species that can take up and incorporate exogenous DNA?  Protection against the introduction of foreign DNA into the cell is also an evolutionary adaptation (e.g. restriction enzymes and methylases). How are such systems advantageous (think viruses...)?