Notebook
Project 3 is concerned with developing a system which is naturally competent. This is to be done by introducing com genes taken from naturally competent strains of Acinetobacter and Streptococcus into a suitable vector imparting natural competence and readiness of the bacterium to acquire genes. Induction of competence will thus enable the bacteria to take up naked DNA from its surroundings which will greatly facilitate transformation experiments.
Uptake of DNA is a highly complex process requiring large host of proteins involved in DNA translocation, pore forming proteins etc.
We have identified several genes essential for DNA uptake in Acinetobacter and Streptococcus. These include comE comF, comB, comC and comP from the Acinetobacter baylyi BD413 and comA, comB and a CSP gene from Streptococcus pneumoniaeR6
This has several applications.
"
