In
genetics, the process of
electroporation is used for the
transformation of
bacteria. Bacterial
cell walls can be weakened by a careful process of freezing to make them "electrocompetent". If electrocompetent bacteria and
plasmids are mixed together, the plasmid can be transferred into the
cell by using an electric discharge to carry the plasmid into cells in the path of the spark crossing the reaction chamber. Typically several 1000 volts are used in this process. Afterwards the cells have to be handled carefully until they have had a chance to divide, producing new cells (with normal tough cell walls) containing reproduced plasmid. This process is usually 10× as effective as
chemical transformation.
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