Electronic Journal of Biotechnology ISSN: 0717-3458  
© 2009 by Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso -- Chile  
  How to reference this article
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Enhancing DNA electrotransformation efficiency in Escherichia coli DH10B electrocompetent cells

Ning Wu
Center for Biotechnology Research and Education
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA

Kanyand Matand*
Center for Biotechnology Research and Education
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA
Departments of Biology
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA

Bizuayehu Kebede
Department of Chemistry
School of Arts and Sciences
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA

George Acquaah
Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
School of Agriculture & Applied Sciences
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA

Sonya Williams
Departments of Biology
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050, USA

*Corresponding author

Financial support: This study was partially funded by USDA/CSREES and NSF/SURESTEP Program.

Keywords: cell competency, DNA, E. coli DH10B, electroporation.

Abstract    

Electrotransformation also known as electroporation is the most reliable and efficient tool for plasmid DNA uptake. Electrotransformation efficiency is function of many factors which include (1) number of cell washes prior to electroporation, (2) electroporation cell number, (3) electroporation DNA amount, and (4) cell growth phase. Those factors have limitedly been concomitantly investigated in E. coli DH10B strain. This study is aimed to explore above key factors to define the optimal conditions for high electrotransformation efficiency. The results showed that electrotransformation efficiency of E. coli DH10B was enhanced to 1.5 x 109 cfu/µg by washing cells three times with 15 ml of 10% glycerol. This washed off extra salts from cell suspension and enhanced electrotransformation by preventing arcing and enhancing cell resistance while ensuring minimal level of conductivity. Early exponential phase at 0.15 OD600 was the best growth phase for enhancing electrotransformation of E. coli DH10B. The results also showed that higher electrotransformation efficiency was similarly achieved when 0.5 x 1010 and 0.6 x 1010 cell numbers were electroporated with DNA amount ranging from 10 to 40 pg. This study confirmed the optimal conditions for electro competent cell preparation and plasmid DNA electrotransformation, which can result highest transformation efficiency.

Supported by UNESCO / MIRCEN network