Dear Netters,
Problems with 'random' mutations during gene syn. are often associated
with a sick UV filter. We had problems some time ago and cured it by
replacing the filter on our (far) UV light box. To give an idea of
how bad teh box had gotten, I simply put some plasmid DNA solution
on teh box and exposed to the transmitted (366nm) light. I got
wonderful exponential inactivation of the plasmid with a half life of
around 1 min. We are talking reduction in number of transformants ie
damage so bad that the plasmid does not transform! SO the lesson was
REPLACE THE EXPENSIVE FILTER AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE.
Hope this helps
Jon R Sayers
Lecturer in Biochem.
Univ. of Wales
Bangor, LL57 2UW Wales, UK
bss032 at bangor.ac.uk
Tel +44 38 23 54
FAX +44 37 07 31
