Snail DNA cloned into bacteria

Oct 01, 2018

165

Snail DNA cloned into bacteriaUsing the very fast and easy method of Chung et al (1989), I got four of my seven synthetic plasmids into the dsRNA expression strain. The other three transformations failed - why? Maybe because I used old DMSO, or more likely because the cells were not in the right growth conditions. But hooray, I am almost ready to induce expression and make snail chow! Planning to use Studier's autoinduction method which works by lactose (cheap).
 
L4440 (bottom left) is the positive control (already ampicillin resistant). HT115(DE3) (bottom right) is the host strain without the ampicillin-resistance-conferring plasmid

MarshaSimon, camille, and 3 others like this.

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camille steenBacker

Just like you said!

Oct 01, 20180

About This Project

Eco-friendly and affordable molecular weaponry against snails that transmit schistosomiasis

Bethel University, Tennessee

Schistosomiasis is a disease transmitted by snails, responsible for chronic illness of many millions of the world's poorest people, mainly in Africa. This project tests the efficacy of RNAi, a targeted genetic weapon, to kill the snails and thus curtail the spread of the disease. RNAi acts only on specific gene sequences, making it environmentally benign and preventing the evolution of resistance in snail populations. Importantly, this snail-killing material would be very cheap to produce.