GM bacterial cultures

GM bacterial cultures on a light box. The bacteria have been genetically engineered to contain a plasmid, a circle of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The plasmid contains a gene (iaaM) that prevents tomatoes from developing seeds. The bacteria are used to multiply the gene many times because of their quick replication rate. The genes will then be inserted into tomato plant genomes. Photographed at the University of Verona, Italy.