We will be using prepared competent cells for transformation. Competent cells are bacterial cells that have been chemically treated so that they are capable of intaking the recombinant DNA. Cells that have received the pLATE31 plasmid are then selected for using the antibiotic ampicillin in the growth media. Because the pLATE31 plasmid contains a gene that encodes a protein that breaks down ampicillin, only those bacteria harboring our plasmid will survive. Your instructor will provide you with two 50 μl aliquots of Novablue competent cells for transformation of the LIC reaction and control reaction.