The post mentions CRISPR in the title and at several points but I can’t actually discern at what step the CRISPR gene editing would have been performed. As described, this mostly resembles a classical transgenic experiment where a plasmid with an antibiotic resistance gene is introduced (transfected) into the bacteria. This has nothing to do with CRISPR, which allows more targeted modifications of a host genome than simple plasmid transfection.
At any rate it’s a fun experiment that is performed, in similar form, in biology in French high schools. Contrary to the tone in some of the comments it’s not particularly dangerous (the bacteria can’t survive outside their agar plates), though local regulations in some countries still might forbid it from being performed at home.
Unfortunately the description is too imprecise to be sure what exactly the author did.
Near as I can tell the only real reference to CRISPR is that he purchased a plasmid that had been modified with CRISPR. Note: This is not what-so-ever like using the CRISPR method to modify DNA. Modifying bacteria with a plasmid as he is demonstrating here is no where near its equivalent. Every introduction to biology course that I've ever seen performs the identical procedure (and generally with much higher rates of success).
I think I got it: the plasmids (plural) contain the Cas9 and the gRNA targeting rpsL in the host organisms [1] (plus the DNA template for the homology directed repair).
It entirely depends why you’re modifying it. Introducing a transgene into E. coli can be done much easier than via CRISPR, true. But that’s not the only (or even main) use of CRISPR. I know of several relevant CRISPR experiments performed in E. coli that can’t really be performed any other way.
No, I'm talking about CRISPR/Cas9. For instance, there are experiments knocking out lots of loci simultaneously. I'm not aware of any other gene editing techniques that could be used by here, at least if you want to preserve some selectivity.
Don't know if they are more or less of a pain but lambda red I-SceI works quite well, and I think there is a kunkel based whole genome modifications option.
At any rate it’s a fun experiment that is performed, in similar form, in biology in French high schools. Contrary to the tone in some of the comments it’s not particularly dangerous (the bacteria can’t survive outside their agar plates), though local regulations in some countries still might forbid it from being performed at home.
Unfortunately the description is too imprecise to be sure what exactly the author did.