Background on GFP
GFP is a protein that spontaneously fluoresces under ultraviolet light. It is isolated from coelenterates, which include Pacific jellyfish, Aequoria victoria. It transduces the blue chemiluminescence of the protein aequorin into green fluorescent light. Cloning of GFP has brought new insight to the world of molecular biology ( 1).
Works Cited
Yang, Fan, Larry G. Moss, and George N. Phillips. The Molecular Structure of Green Fluorescent Protein. 10 Sept. 2003. <file://F:\windows\Desktop\BCLAB\GFPstructure.htm>.
Additional Information:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/genes/gene_safari/wild_west/glowing_gallery.shtml
Background On pGLO
pGLO transforms bacteria with a gene form Aequoria victoria, the bioluminescent jellyfish. This gene, as stated previously, is encoded for the protein GFP. After pGLO has transformed a bacterium, it splits and makes many copies of itself. The bacteria grows and then glows green in the presence of the sugar arabinose, which stimulates the GFP gene. pGLO plasmid is commercially available through the Bio-Rad company.
Works Cited