Question
Can you think and answer how a reporter enzyme can be used to monitor transformation of host cells by foreign DNA in addition to a selectable marker?
Solution
Reporter gene can be used to monitor the transformation of cells by foreign DNA. The foreign gene is linked to the DNA construct that is incorporated into the host. The reporter gene when expressed gives signals that the cell has transformed. These are often used as an indication of whether a certain gene has been taken up by or expressed in the cell or organism population. For example green fluorescent protein (GFP) used as a reporter gene causes cells that express it to glow green under blue light thus indicating the transformation of the cell by the foreign DNA.
