Lidstrom:Competent Cell Preparation

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Chemically Competent E. Coli

Notes:

• You need fresh cells.
  • Often people inoculate a few mL of the culture for overnight growth, then use 200 uL to inoculate the ~50 mL of culture they will make competent.
  • Some people in our lab believe you want to start with a fresh plate and don't even use one that is a few days old. Other people (Mila) are mostly concerned about the OD being right at the time of harvest.
• You need to flash freeze the cells at the end of the procedure. You can do this by pouring liquid nitrogen over them, or you can freeze your tubes at -80oC the night before, put your aliquots in, and stick them back at -80oC.