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What does the DH5alpha mean in E.coli DH5alpha bacteria - (Apr/26/2009 )

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Hi everyone,

I'm using E coli DH5a for my transformations, and I was wondering what the DH5alpha stands for.
Is there anyone who can help me?
Thank you

-minemin-

It is a strain name, much as E. coli O15H is a famous pathogenic strain.

-bob1-

bob1 on Apr 26 2009, 05:49 PM said:

It is a strain name, much as E. coli O15H is a famous pathogenic strain.

I know it's a strain name, but I was interested if the D H 5a has some meaning. Some special features or something

-minemin-

The original reference is: Bethesda Research Laboratories. 1986. BRL pUC host: E. coli DH5α competent cells. Focus 8(2):9. (see here). DH5α was derived from E. coli DH5, described in Hanahan, D. 1985. in DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach. Glover, D. M. (ed.), Vol. 1, p. 109, IRL Press, McLean, Virginia. "DH" are the initials of Doug Hanahan.

-HomeBrew-

HomeBrew on Apr 28 2009, 06:27 AM said:

The original reference is: Bethesda Research Laboratories. 1986. BRL pUC host: E. coli DH5α competent cells. Focus 8(2):9. (see here). DH5α was derived from E. coli DH5, described in Hanahan, D. 1985. in DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach. Glover, D. M. (ed.), Vol. 1, p. 109, IRL Press, McLean, Virginia. "DH" are the initials of Doug Hanahan.

Nice to be remembered for posterity by having a strain of bug named after you! Like good ole Dr Escherich! Could be worse, I suppose: you might have some horrible skin condition with your name on it!!! :wacko: :D

-swanny-

HomeBrew on Apr 28 2009, 04:27 AM said:

The original reference is: Bethesda Research Laboratories. 1986. BRL pUC host: E. coli DH5α competent cells. Focus 8(2):9. (see here). DH5α was derived from E. coli DH5, described in Hanahan, D. 1985. in DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach. Glover, D. M. (ed.), Vol. 1, p. 109, IRL Press, McLean, Virginia. "DH" are the initials of Doug Hanahan.


Wow...Now I know DH5alpha is named from someone initials. Thanks.

-cheerioet-

Nice one Homebrew. I really appreciate that knowledge . D. Hanathan 5 ~~ this guy drives fast car and work late in the night mysteriously if i m not mistaken as written in Sambrook .

-hanming86-

And all those highly competent E. coli cells you buy or make? He worked that out in D Hanahan. 1983. Studies on transformation of Escherichia coli with plasmids. J Mol Biol 166(4):557-580, which, by the way, is also from where we get SOB and SOC media.

-HomeBrew-

Hi Everyone!

It was interesting to read all your answers ;)

What could be its pathogenicity levels of this bacteria, is it BSL-2 pathogen? I was building a risk assessment form for this strain and came up with these questions.

Thank you

-Ratna-

DH5a and other common K-12 E. coli derivatives used in the lab are BSL-1, and non-pathogenic to normal healthy individuals. You should still use good lab practices in handling all bacterial samples, including autoclaving contaminated waste, bleaching discarded liquid cultures, and washing your hands.

-phage434-
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