Intact Genomics (ig®) HB101 chemically competent E. coli cells are suitable for high-efficiency transformation in a wide variety of applications such as cloning and sub-cloning. E. coli HB101 is a K12 x B hybrid strain, containing the recA13 mutation that minimizes recombination and helps insert stability. In addition, it carries the hsdS20(rB-mB-) restriction minus genotype which prevents cleavage of cloned DNA by endogenous restriction enzymes. HB101 strain does not support Alpha-complementation for blue/white screening.

Transformation efficiency is tested by using the pUC19 control DNA supplied with the kit and using the high-efficiency transformation protocol. Transformation efficiency should be greater than 1×108 CFU/µg pUC19 DNA. Untransformed cells are tested for appropriate antibiotic sensitivity.