Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

High-resolution genomic analysis reveals abundant mosaic outcomes of bacterial natural transformation independent of MutS-mediated mismatch repair.

mBio·2026
Same author

Molecular characterisation of the Bacillus subtilis SpbK antiphage defence system.

Nature communications·2025
Same author

A phage-encoded counter-defense inhibits an NAD-degrading anti-phage defense system.

PLoS genetics·2025
Same author

Differential expression of the <i>yfj</i> operon in a <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> biofilm.

Applied and environmental microbiology·2024
Same author

ComI inhibits transformation in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> by selectively killing competent cells.

Journal of bacteriology·2024
Same author

From isotopically labeled DNA to fluorescently labeled dynamic pili: building a mechanistic model of DNA transport to the cytoplasmic membrane.

Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR·2024
Same journal

Editorial: Technologies for RNA Detection.

Bio-protocol·2026
Same journal

One-Step Affinity Purification of MarathonRT Reverse Transcriptase for RNA Sequencing Applications.

Bio-protocol·2026
Same journal

Enhanced RNA-Seq Expression Profiling and Functional Enrichment in Non-model Organisms Using Custom Annotations.

Bio-protocol·2026
Same journal

Using Combined Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization With Immunohistochemistry to Co-localize mRNA in Diverse Neuronal Cell Types.

Bio-protocol·2026
Same journal

Stepwise Protocol for Alternative Splicing Analysis in Single-Cell SMART-Seq2 RNA-Seq Data.

Bio-protocol·2026
Same journal

Enriching Bacteria-Specific RNA From Host Samples Before NGS With Transcript-Capture.

Bio-protocol·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay
06:45

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay

Published on: May 26, 2011

15.4K

Quantitative Transformation Efficiency Assay for Bacillus subtilis.

Christian L Loyo1, Briana M Burton1

  • 1Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Bio-Protocol
|September 17, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study presents a protocol to quantify natural transformation efficiency in Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis). The method uses colony forming units (CFU) and transforming units (TFU) to measure relative transformability in this model organism.

Keywords:
Bacillus subtilisCompetenceDNA uptakeNatural transformationQuantitative transformation efficiency assayhorizontal gene transfer (HGT)

More Related Videos

Qualitative and Quantitative Assays for Detection and Characterization of Protein Antimicrobials
10:50

Qualitative and Quantitative Assays for Detection and Characterization of Protein Antimicrobials

Published on: April 10, 2016

18.7K
Rapid Protocol for Preparation of Electrocompetent Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae
07:10

Rapid Protocol for Preparation of Electrocompetent Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae

Published on: October 8, 2013

78.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 19, 2025

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay
06:45

Transmembrane Domain Oligomerization Propensity determined by ToxR Assay

Published on: May 26, 2011

15.4K
Qualitative and Quantitative Assays for Detection and Characterization of Protein Antimicrobials
10:50

Qualitative and Quantitative Assays for Detection and Characterization of Protein Antimicrobials

Published on: April 10, 2016

18.7K
Rapid Protocol for Preparation of Electrocompetent Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae
07:10

Rapid Protocol for Preparation of Electrocompetent Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae

Published on: October 8, 2013

78.0K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a well-established model organism for studying bacterial physiology.
  • Competence, the ability of bacteria to uptake foreign DNA, is a key physiological state.
  • Understanding natural transformation is crucial for genetic manipulation and synthetic biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a standardized protocol for quantifying relative transformability in B. subtilis.
  • To provide a reliable method for measuring the efficiency of natural transformation.
  • To facilitate comparative studies on competence development and transformation efficiency.

Main Methods:

  • Induction of competence in B. subtilis cultures.
  • Quantification of viable cells using colony forming units (CFU).
  • Measurement of DNA uptake efficiency using transforming units (TFU).

Main Results:

  • The protocol allows for accurate quantification of relative transformability.
  • The method distinguishes variations in transformation efficiency between different conditions or strains.
  • Results are reproducible and provide a quantitative measure of competence.

Conclusions:

  • The described protocol offers a robust approach for assessing B. subtilis transformability.
  • This method is valuable for research in bacterial genetics, physiology, and biotechnology.
  • Standardized quantification of natural transformation aids in advancing synthetic biology applications.