Unencapsulated bacteria

Avery wanted to be certain that the active agent was the DNA and not a small amount of protein contamination. To verify the result, a quantity of DNase, an enzyme that would destroy the DNA without affecting the protein, was prepared and added to the sample. When a portion of bacteria was tested, it could no longer transform the unencapsulated bacteria into encapsulated bacteria. Avery and his co-workers had conclusively proven that DNA was the transforming principle responsible for the development of polysaccharide capsules in the tmencapsulated bacteria. 

---