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Cloning & Synthetic Biology

Clone with Confidence®

Whether you are performing your first cloning experiment or constructing multi-fragment DNA assemblies, NEB® has the solution for you. Our high quality reagents are available for every workflow, including popular DNA assembly methods such as NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly and NEBridge® Golden Gate Assembly. We also offer solutions for automation, site-directed mutagenesis, as well as your favorite restriction endonuclease, ligase, or competent cell products. When you are looking to clone with confidence, think of NEB. You can also use our free online tool, NEBcloner®, to find the right products and protocols for each step in the cloning workflow.


Overview of molecular cloning

Molecular cloning refers to the process by which recombinant DNA molecules are produced and transformed into a host organism, where they are replicated. A molecular cloning reaction is typically comprised of the following two components:

  1. The DNA fragment of interest to be replicated
  2. A vector/plasmid backbone that contains all of the components for replication in the host

DNA of interest, such as a gene, regulatory element(s), or operon, etc., is prepared for cloning by excising it out of the source DNA using restriction enzymes, copying it using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), or assembling it from individual oligonucleotides. At the same time, a plasmid vector is prepared in linear form using restriction enzymes or PCR. The plasmid is a small, circular piece of DNA that is replicated within the host, and exists separately from the host’s chromosomal or genomic DNA. By physically joining the DNA of interest to the plasmid vector through phosphodiester bonds, the DNA of interest becomes part of the new recombinant plasmid and is replicated by the host.

Plasmid vectors allow the DNA of interest to be copied in large amounts and, often, provide the necessary control elements to be used to direct transcription and translation of the cloned DNA. As such, they have become the workhorse for many molecular methods, such as protein expression, gene expression studies, and functional analysis of biomolecules. During the cloning process, the ends of the DNA of interest and the vector have to be modified to make them compatible for joining through the action of a DNA ligase, recombinase, or in vivo DNA repair mechanism. These steps typically utilize enzymes, such as nucleases, phosphatases, kinases and/or ligases. Many cloning methodologies and, more recently, kits have been developed to simplify and standardize these processes, including those for seamless cloning and DNA Assembly.

 

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History of molecular cloning

Image of history chartIn 1952 with the genetic demonstration of phage restriction, the existence of mechanisms that protect bacteria from viral infections was revealed. This led to the isolation of the first restriction factor that could selectively cut bacteriophage DNA, in 1968. Over the following decades, scientists made significant advancements in understanding DNA replication and DNA modifying enzymes, leading to the development of various cloning techniques. Major milestones that revolutionized the field of molecular cloning during this time include the introduction of PCR in 1983, Golden Gate Assembly in 2008, and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in 2011.

This poster highlights a selection of some of the most significant discoveries, advancements, and achievements in the field of molecular cloning.

View PDF  Request a copy

 

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Types of molecular cloning

Molecular cloning techniques are diverse and new methods are continuously being developed. Most share some commonalities such as the traditional use of restriction endonucleases to cut DNA, ligases to join DNA, and DNA polymerases to copy DNA. More recent cloning methodologies utilize other properties of DNA polymerases, such as exonuclease activity, along with homologous regions of DNA that join seamlessly together.

Learn more about the various types of molecular cloning:

 

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Icon of DNA insert and vector

Synthetic biology & DNA assembly

Synthetic Biology is a more recent expansion of the biotechnology field, in which genes and proteins are viewed as parts or devices, with the goal of re-designing and/or assembling these parts in novel ways to create a new and useful functionality. Recent advances in biofuels generation, production of biochemicals, and understanding the minimal genome all benefit from synthetic biological approaches. Often these projects rely on the ordered assembly of multiple DNA sequences to create large, artificial DNA structures. To this end, methods have evolved to simplify this process. NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly, Gibson Assembly®, and NEBridge Golden Gate Assembly can be used to create many functional DNA structures, from a simple joining of two metabolic genes, all the way up to the creation of an artificial genome.

To help select the best DNA assembly method for your needs, please visit our Synthetic Biology/DNA Assembly Selection Chart.

Learn About DNA Assembly

NEBuilderSample_RightLearn more about NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly at NEBuilderHiFi.com
Learn more about NEBridge Golden Gate Assembly at neb.com/GoldenGate

 

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Choose Type:

Cloning & Synthetic Biology
includes these areas of focus:
DNA Analysis
Colony PCR
DNA Sequencing
Restriction Enzyme Digestion
DNA Assembly and Cloning
NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly
NEBridge® Golden Gate Assembly
Gibson Assembly®
BioBrick® Assembly
DNA End Modification
Dephosphorylation
Phosphorylation (Kinase)
A-tailing
Blunting
DNA Ligation
Non-Cloning Ligation
Cloning Ligation
DNA Preparation
Reverse Transcription (cDNA Synthesis)
Restriction Enzyme Digestion
PCR
Fast Cloning: Accelerate your cloning workflows with reagents from NEB
High-throughput cloning and automation solutions
Nucleic Acid Purification
Site Directed Mutagenesis
Transformation
USER® Cloning
Applications of USER® and Thermolabile USER II Enzymes
FAQs for Cloning & Synthetic Biology
Protocols for Cloning & Synthetic Biology
Application Notes for Cloning & Synthetic Biology
    Publications related to Cloning & Synthetic Biology
    • Gehring, A.M., Zatopek, K.M., Burkhart, B.W., Potapov, V., Santangelo, T.J., Gardner, A.F (2019) Biochemical reconstitution and genetic characterization of the major oxidative damage base excision DNA repair pathway in Thermococcus kodakarensis DNA Repair (Amst); PubMedID: 31841800, DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2019.102767
    • Anton, B.P., Morgan, R.D., Ezraty, B., Manta, B., Barras, F., Berkmen, M. (2019) Complete genome sequence of Escherichia coli BE104, an MC4100 drivative lacking the methionine reductive pathway Microbiol Resour Announc; 8 (29), e00721-19. PubMedID: 31296691, DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00721-19
    • Potapov, V., Ong, J.L., Kucera, R.B., Langhorst, B.W., Bilotti, K., Pryor, J.M., Cantor, E.J., Canton, B., Knight, T.F., Evans, T.C., Lohman, G.J.S. (2018) Comprehensive profiling of four base overhang ligation fidelity by T4 DNA ligase and application to DNA assembly ACS Synth Biol; 7 (11), PubMedID: 30335370, DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00333
    • Ke, Na; Berkmen, Mehmet; Ren, Guoping; (2017) A water-soluble DsbB variant that catalyzes disulfide-bond formation in vivo Nat Chem Biol; 13, 1022-1028. PubMedID: 28628094, DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2409
    • Shah, S., Sanchez, J., Stewart, A., et al. (2015) Probing the Run-On Oligomer of Activated SgrAI Bound to DNA PLoS One; 10(4), PubMedID: 25880668, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124783.
    • Roberts, R.J., Vincze, T., Posfai, J., Macelis, D. (2015) REBASE - A database for DNA restriction and modification: enzymes, genes and genomes Nucleic Acids Res; 43, D298-D299. PubMedID: 25378308
    • Roberts, R.J., Vincze, T., Posfai, J., Macelis, D. (2014) REBASE - A database for DNA restriction and modification: enzymes, genes and genomes Nucleic Acids Res;
    • Mauris, J.and Evans, T.C., Jr. (2010) A human PMS2 homologue from Aquifex aeolicus stimulates an ATP-dependent DNA helicase. J Biol Chem; 285(15), 11087-11092. PubMedID: 20129926
Legal Information

Products and content are covered by one or more patents, trademarks and/or copyrights owned or controlled by New England Biolabs, Inc (NEB). The use of trademark symbols does not necessarily indicate that the name is trademarked in the country where it is being read; it indicates where the content was originally developed. The use of this product may require the buyer to obtain additional third-party intellectual property rights for certain applications. For more information, please email busdev@neb.com.

This product is intended for research purposes only. This product is not intended to be used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in humans or animals.


Videos

  • OverviewOfTraditionalCloning_720

    Overview of Traditional Cloning

    Traditional Cloning refers to the generation of DNA fragments using restriction enzymes, and their subsequent assembly into vectors and transformation. The name is derived from the method’s history as the first widely-accepted cloning method. Learn more in this tutorial about the benefits and disadvantages of Traditional Cloning.

  • nebuilder_overview_thumb

    Introduction to NEBUILDER HIFI DNA ASSEMBLY®

    Find out how NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly can reliably join DNA fragments in a single tube, isothermal reaction, with advantages over NEB Gibson Assembly®.

  • GoldenGateAssemblyWorkflow_720

    Golden Gate Assembly Workflow

    Find out how Golden Gate Assembly can be used to quickly join multiple DNA fragments.

  • TypeII_RE_animation_Thumb_282x210

    What is a Type II Restriction Enzyme?

    Type II restriction enzymes are most commonly used for molecular biology applications, as they recognize stereotypical sequences and produce a predictable cleavage pattern. Learn more about how Type II REs work.

  • OverviewOfQ5SDMKit_720

    Overview of the Q5® Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit

    Learn how to create substitutions, deletions or insertions in 3 easy steps with the Q5 Site-Directed Mutagenesis Kit.

  • DNABluntingVideo_thumb

    DNA Blunting Tutorial

    The first step in determining how your ends will be blunted is to determine if they are 5´ or 3´ overhangs. This tutorial will teach you how to identify what type of overhang you have, as well as which enzyme will blunt that end, and how.

  • TransformationVideo_thumb

    The Mechanism of Transformation with Competent Cells

    Transformation is the process by which bacteria are made to take up exogenous DNA. The word is derived from Griffith's discovery of a "transforming principle". Learn more about transformation and how it is used in cloning workflows.

  • DephosphorylationVideo_thumb

    The Mechanism of Dephosphorylation

    Dephosphorylation is the process by which phosphate groups are removed from a molecule by a phosphatase. Removal of phosphate groups from a DNA fragment can prevent ligation. Learn more about dephosphorylation and phosphatases.

  • PhosphorylationVideo_thumb

    The Mechanism of DNA Phosphorylation

    Phosphorylation is the process by which phosphate groups are added to a molecule by a kinase. The phosphorylation status of a fragment of DNA can influence its ability to proceed in reactions. Learn more about phosphorylation and kinases.

  • CloningWithREsVideo_thumb

    Cloning With Restriction Enzymes

    Restriction enzymes are an integral part of the cloning workflow, for generating compatible ends on fragments and vectors. This animation discusses three guidelines for determining which restriction enzymes to use in your cloning experiment.

Need more help selecting
a product for DNA assembly?

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View our Synthetic Biology/DNA Assembly Selection Chart for more details.

View Selection Chart

Which molecular cloning
technique is best for you?

For the new cloner, NEB suggests choosing one of three cloning methods. Find the method that works for your application.

For the new cloner, NEB suggests choosing one of three cloning methods. Find the method that works for your application.

Find a Cloning Method

Download the Molecular Cloning Technical Guide

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Download this technical guide for help with product selection, protocols, tips for optimization and troubleshooting.


Download Tech Guide