[Bacillus subtilis undergoes natural genetic transformation on agar plates]

This paper conducted preliminary investigation on natural genetic transformation of Bacillus subtilis on agar plates. The results showed that, under same conditions, the natural transformation of the strain on agar plate was much more efficient than that of standard liquid method, and the transformation system could sustain higher DNase concentration. In addition, that the LB culture, which usually did not support the strain acquire competency, could undergo transformation as soon as it being spread on agar plate, suggested that the natural genetic transformation of Bacillus subtilis on solid plates may be different form the standard liquid transformation method. The cell-to-cell transformation between strains having different genetic makers could also be observed on agar plates.