Two kinds of bacteria are employed in the work: bacteria that have incorporateda plasmid containing ECFP (Enhanced Cyan Fluorescent Protein) and bacteriathat have incorporated a plasmid containing EYFP (Enhanced Yellow FluorescentProtein). ECFP and EYFP are GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) mutants withaltered spectral properties. The ECFP bacteria contain the synthetic gene,while the EYFP bacteria do not. These fluorescent bacteria emit cyan andyellow light when exposed to UV radiation (302 nm). As they make contactwith each other plasmid conjugal transfer takes place and we start to seecolor combinations, possibly giving rise to green bacteria. Photo: Clontech
