What are pFG plasmids and what do they produce?
Plasmids are circular molecules of DNA which are found in E.coli and tend to express proteins not required for the normal cellular function of E.coli (the essential proteins are expressed from the E.coli chromosomal DNA). pFG is a plasmid which has been created to contain a gene which makes jellyfish glow (Green Flourescent Protein, GFP). This plasmid can be inserted into E.coli cells by transformation (by heating the cells they go into shock and ‘suck’ any nearby plasmids in). When the cells are transformed with the plasmid, the green flourescent protein can be expressed from the plasmid DNA by induction (using IPTG). This will make the E.coli cells flouresce a green colour under UV, just like in the jellyfish mentioned above.
