Transformation frequency increases with increase in agitation rate of chemostat-cultivated Escherichia coli K12, strain C-600.

The transformation frequency of Escherichia coli C-600, continuously cultivated in a chemostat operated at constant dilution rate, increased with increase in agitation rate (impeller speed). Cell counts at each impeller speed remained approximately constant. The phenomenon correlated with changes in mean cell volume associated with the changes in agitation rate.