Competent bacteria

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-002307",
  "term": "Competent bacteria",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "Bacterial cells that possess the transient ability to take up and incorporate exogenous DNA from their environment through a process called transformation. This state of competence can be induced naturally under certain growth conditions or artificially in the laboratory through chemical treatment, such as with calcium chloride, or by electroporation. The uptake of plasmid DNA by competent bacteria is a foundational technique in molecular cloning for producing large quantities of specific genes or proteins.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2007, 79, 1153. 'Glossary of terms used in toxicology, 2nd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2007)' on page 1194 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200779071153)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/competent-bacteria/"
}