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This transformation kit is designed to make observing the phenotypic effects of transformation easier than ever. Thanks to the pBLU® plasmid, transformants appear as white colonies on an ampicillin medium and as dramatic blue colonies on an ampicillin/X-gal medium. This provides a powerful example of both transformation and gene regulation for students, increasing the academic outcomes obtained by performing the activity. Materials are sufficient for 8 student lab stations or groups.

Product Details
Intermediate—Easy to perform; requires some background knowledge.
How can molecular biologists determine if a DNA insertion into the ß-galactosidase gene on a plasmid is successful?

This impactful transformation kit is designed to make observing the phenotypic effects of transformation easier than ever. Thanks to the specially developed pBLU® plasmid, transformants appear as white colonies on an ampicillin medium and as dramatic blue colonies on an ampicillin/X-gal medium. This provides a powerful example of both transformation and gene regulation for students, increasing the academic outcomes obtained by performing the activity.

Product Features

• Materials are sufficient for 8 student lab stations or groups
• Includes voucher to request delivery of the perishable materials at a later date
• Designed to match the traditional AP® Biology Lab 6
• pBLU® plasmid (item #211420) contains genes for both ampicillin resistance and ß-galactosidase production
• Included paper model activity simulates creation of recombinant plasmid with restriction enzymes
• Complete visual lab procedure complements the written protocol
• Resource section connects the kit activities to authentic lab techniques, real-world careers, historical perspectives, and more
• Kit content and the skills used by students during the investigations support obtainment of BCSI biotechnology micro-credentials
• Kit provides an NGSS phenomena activity and aligns to science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts
• Perishables can be replenished with refill kit (item #211146A)

Note: Kit includes a voucher to request perishable materials later at your convenience. Contact Carolina or return the voucher to request delivery of perishables.

Time Requirement
Teacher prep, prepare LB agar plates and streak start plates. Performing the 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 support instruction. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.

Connection to the Next Generation Science Standards*
Science and Engineering Practices

• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

Performance Expectation(s)

• HS-LS1-1
• HS-LS3-1

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• LS1.A: Structure and Function
• LS4.B: Natural Selection

Crosscutting Concepts

• Cause and Effect

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.

AP® is a trademark registered and/or owned by the College Board®, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

*Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.