transformation efficiency

Transformation efficiency measures how effectively foreign DNA, such as a gene or plasmid, is introduced into cells—commonly bacteria or other organisms. It is calculated by dividing the number of successfully transformed cells (those that have taken up and expressed the new DNA) by the amount of DNA used, usually expressed as colonies per microgram of DNA. Higher efficiency indicates a more successful process, meaning more cells incorporate the DNA. This metric helps researchers gauge the success of their genetic transfer techniques and optimize protocols for better results.