E. coli K-12

E. coli K-12 is a well-studied strain of the bacterium Escherichia coli, commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. It plays a key role in research because it is safe to work with and helps scientists understand basic bacterial functions, genetics, and disease mechanisms. E. coli K-12 is also used in biotechnology for producing proteins and other products. While many strains of E. coli can cause illness, K-12 is non-pathogenic, meaning it doesn’t cause disease, making it an essential tool in microbiology and genetic research.