Question

What is bacterial transformation used for?

Answer 1

Bacterial transformation is a process where horizontal gene transfer of exogenous genetic material may be introduced into a bacterial cell.

Explanation:

Major application of bacterial transformation are -

1) To make multiple copies of DNA. This is called DNA cloning.

2) To make large amounts of specific human proteins. For example human insulin, which can be used to treat people with Type I diabetes.

3) To genetically modify a bacterium or other cell.

Bacteria re commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers. Their cellular mechanism naturally carries out DNA replication and protein synthesis.