A Peculiar Event In Tranformation

[Randy Willis]

Paul N Hengen wrote:
> But, will they be able to grow under non-selective conditions? I think the
> cells undergo more stress (not less) at 4C. I used to keep all my slants of
> E. coli at 4C until I found out they last much longer if stored at room temp.
> Then again, who needs the cells when you're studying plasmids?  I now just
> make sure to keep any plasmid DNA I'm interested in at -20C.


Paul,

You may be correct.  My use of the word "stress" is very hand-waving.  I
do agree that it is best to keep a solution of DNA at -20C, and I do.  I
wonder what peoples' experiences have been with using cells taken from
stocks which have been frozen at -70C.  We maintain stocks, but
typically this is in case we run out of plasmid DNA and NOT for the
purposes of growths/expressions.  Any suggestions or ideas?

Best of luck to all in their endeavours...Randy

Randall C Willis, Researcher
Biochemistry Research, Hospital for Sick Children
3522-555 University Ave
Toronto, ON
M5G 1X8  CANADA

416-813-5933 (ph)  -5022 (fax)
willis at gandalf.psf.sickkids.on.ca


--The ideas expressed above are not those of the company, but should be-