Intact Genomics (ig®) chemically competent MG1655 chemically competent cells are suitable for routine DNA transformation and other research purposes. MG1655 is the “wild type” K-12 strain with minimal genetic manipulation having only been cured of the temperate bacteriophage lambda and F plasmid by ultraviolet light and acridine orange (1).
Transformation efficiency is tested by using the pUC19 control DNA supplied with the kit and using the high efficiency transformation protocol. Transformation efficiency should be greater than 1×109 CFU/µg pUC19 DNA. Untransformed cells are tested for appropriate antibiotic sensitivity.