Rapid growing microorganisms for biotechnology applications

Abstract

The present invention provides novel rapidly growing microorganisms and methods for their use in cloning or subcloning nucleic acid molecules. The rapid growing microorganisms of the present invention form colonies more rapidly than microorganisms typically used in molecular biology and thus provide a significant improvement in in vitro cloning methods used extensively in molecular biology. The invention also relates to kits and compositions used in the methods of the invention.

1 . A rapid growing microorganism lacking endogenous plasmids. 
     
     
         2 . The microorganism according to  claim 1 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is of the genus  Escherichia.    
     
     
         3 . The microorganism according to  claim 2 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli.    
     
     
         4 . The microorganism according to  claim 3 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli  strain W. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method of cloning, comprising the steps of:
 constructing a population of recombinant vectors;   transforming a competent microorganism capable of rapid growth with the recombinant vector; and   selecting the transformed microorganism containing the recombinant vector.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is of the genus  Escherichia.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is and  E. coli.    
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli  strain W. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism does not contain endogenous vectors. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of growing the transformed microorganism at a temperature greater than 37° C. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of producing a protein or peptide, comprising the steps of:
 constructing a recombinant vector containing a gene encoding a protein or peptide protein;   transforming the vector into a competent microorganism capable of rapid growth; and   culturing the transformed microorganism under conditions that cause the transformed microorganism to produce said protein or peptide.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is of the genus  Escherichia.    
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli  strain W. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism does not contain endogenous plasmids. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A method of transforming a rapid growing microorganism, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a competent microorganism capable of rapid growth; and   incubating said competent microorganism in the presence of one or more vectors under conditions which cause said one or more vectors to be taken up by the microorganism.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is of the genus  Escherichia.    
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli.    
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism is an  E. coli  strain W. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the rapid growing microorganism does not contain endogenous plasmids. 
     
     
         27 - 41 . (canceled)