What would be the role of CaCl2 in biotechnology? a. Downstream processing b. Agarose gel electrophoresis c. Upstream processing d. In the preparation of competent cells
Option D.Both the DNA and the lipopolysaccharides in the cell membrane of the host cell are negatively charged, so they repel each other. The Ca2+ ions in the CaCl2 solution bind to the phosphate of the DNA and minimize the electrostatic repulsion. Thereafter the heat-shock treatment will make the membrane porous, through which DNA can move easily. The cold treatment that follows immediately stabilizes the membrane once again.
