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Molecular Cloning & Protein Expression

The image is a diagram that illustrates the process of protein expression, starting with an expression plasmid and leading to phenotype, including steps such as transcription in the nucleus, translation, and localization, culminating in purification. The diagram is color-coded, with pink representing the overall process and yellow highlighting the nucleus. It includes labels such as “Expression plasmid,” “Nucleus,” “Transcription,” “mRNA,” “Translation,” “Phenotype,” “Localization,” and “Purification.”

The aim of molecular cloning is to insert the gene-of-interest (GOI) into a plasmid vector, a circular piece of DNA that contains various elements to facilitate cloning, clone selection, and protein expression. Researchers often use DNA restriction enzymes and ligase to insert the GOI in-frame within the expression vector for subsequent protein expression. This vector is then inserted into a cell that will express the protein encoded by the GOI or protein expression is accomplished using cell-free protein synthesis systems.  

Once the protein is expressed, the protein function can be studied as it affects the cell signaling, morphology, or other aspects within the cell. Alternatively, the protein can be expressed in large quantities, purified, and used in numerous downstream applications. For additional information, explore our comprehensive offering of reliable reagents and resources that are available across the cloning & expression workflow for insect, bacteria, and mammalian protein expression systems.


Products

His (5)

S-Tag (5)

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) (3)

competent cells (60)

plasmids (29)

media (25)

enzymes (7)

media supplements (6)

kits (3)

Sigma-Aldrich (152)
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LB Broth (Lennox)
L3022

LB Broth (Lennox)

Highly-referenced microbial growth powder medium, low salt, suitable for salt-sensitive E.coli culture.

LB Broth (Miller)
L3522

LB Broth (Miller)

Highly-referenced nutrient-rich microbial growth powder medium, suitable for regular E.coli culture

LB Broth (Miller)
L2542

LB Broth (Miller)

Liquid microbial growth medium

Yeast Extract
Y1625

Yeast Extract

for use in microbial growth medium

Yeast Nitrogen Base Without Amino Acids
Y0626

Yeast Nitrogen Base Without Amino Acids

Yeast classification medium used for selecting yeasts based on amino acid and carbohydrate requirements

LB Broth with agar (Miller)
L3147

LB Broth with agar (Miller)

Highly-referenced nutrient-rich microbial growth powder medium with Agar, suitable for regular E.coli culture.

LB Broth with agar (Lennox)
L2897

LB Broth with agar (Lennox)

Highly-referenced microbial growth powder medium with Agar, low salt, suitable for salt-sensitive E. coli culture.

Sodium phosphate monobasic
S3139

Sodium phosphate monobasic

BioReagent, Molecular Biology, anhydrous, ≥98%

LB Agar Plates
L5542

LB Agar Plates

pre-poured LB agar plates

Ribonuclease A from bovine pancreas
R6513

Ribonuclease A from bovine pancreas

Molecular Biology, ≥70 Kunitz units/mg protein, lyophilized

2x YT medium
Y2377

2x YT medium

Powder microbial growth medium

M9, Minimal Salts, 5X
M6030

M9, Minimal Salts, 5X

powder, minimal microbial growth medium

SOC Medium
S1797

SOC Medium

For use in transformation

Ficoll<SUP>®</SUP> 400
F2637

Ficoll® 400

BioXtra, Molecular Biology, lyophilized powder

Trace Elements Ready Made Solution
MBD0056

Trace Elements Ready Made Solution

100X, microbial growth medium supplement

2x YT medium
Y1003

2x YT medium

Liquid microbial growth medium

LB Broth with agar (Lennox)
L7025

LB Broth with agar (Lennox)

Tablet microbial growth medium

LB Broth (Lennox)
L7275

LB Broth (Lennox)

Tablet microbial growth medium

TAT-CRE Recombinase
SCR508

TAT-CRE Recombinase

TAT-CRE Recombinase is a recombinant cell-permeant fusion cre-recombinase protein consisting of TAT sequence, a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) and it is known to catalyze the site specific recombination event between two loxP DNA sites.

M9 Minimal Salts, 5X
M9956

M9 Minimal Salts, 5X

Liquid microbial growth medium


Restriction Enzymes and DNA Modifying Enzymes

In molecular cloning, researchers often use two general types of enzymes – restriction enzymes for cutting DNA and modifying enzymes for making nucleic acid modifications, often before the ligation step. Explore our wide range of restriction enzymes and other modifying enzymes such as Alkaline Phosphatase, Protease, T7 RNA polymerase, Ribonuclease A and T4 DNA ligase for all your research needs.

Cell-Free Expression Systems and Expression Vectors using CMV Promoters and FLAG® Tag Technology

Our cloning and expression portfolio make genetic engineering cheaper and more efficient by providing a collection of versatile vectors with streamlined protocols and cloning kits. Choose from our wide range of cloning & expression systems, including our Cell-Free Protein Synthesis or Expression system, such as the Next Generation Cell-Free Protein Expression Kit (Wheat Germ) and the ALiCE® kit. Additionally, discover the bacterial and mammalian FLAG® expression vectors for periplasmic or cytoplasmic expression in transient or stable transfection systems and confidently express your FLAG® or 3X FLAG® sequence on the N- or C-terminal with an enterokinase (Ek) cleavage site to remove the fusion tag if necessary.

Novagen® pET System, SnapFast™ Vectors, Simplicon™ Vectors, and UCOE™ Protein Expression Systems

All E. coli expression vectors and insect expression vectors confer ampicillin resistance for easy selection of positive transformants. Discover the Novagen® pET System, the gold standard for cloning and expression of recombinant proteins in bacterial expression. Engineered by Oxford Genetics, the SnapFast™ family of vectors offers a quick and easy protocol allowing the transfer of a GOI from one vector to another using the SnapFast™ cutting sites, generating vectors which are compatible with insect, yeast, bacterial & mammalian expression systems. With our Ubiquitous Chromatin Opening Element (UCOE™) expression vector technology, you can achieve grams of protein in less than 30 days in stably-transfected mammalian cells. UCOE™ expression technology prevents transgene silencing and gives consistent, stable and high-level gene expression, up to 20-fold higher than conventional vectors, irrespective of the chromosomal integration site. The Simplicon™ In Vivo Protein Expression System is a non-genome integrating, tunable, and synthetic self-replicating RNA-based expression system that generates immediate, high-sustained protein expression of multiple genes into transfected human cells without the risk of genome integration..

Bacterial and Yeast Transformation Reagents and Resources

Bacterial transformation is the process of inserting foreign DNA into bacteria using methods such as heat shock and electroporation. Our portfolio of competent cells is engineered for optimal protein expression for even the most challenging recombinant proteins. Browse our Competent Cell Selection Guide to choose from a variety of new bacterial competent cells for a wide variety of applications, including protein expression, routine or difficult cloning, and library generation. Additionally, recombinant protein expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has many advantages, such as simple protocols, use of basic reagents, and scalability. Explore the many products available for yeast transformation as part of the protein expression workflow. Our NovaBlue® competent cells, optimized for transfection efficiency and plasmid preservation, support superior library preparations and plasmid stability. Additionally, the Novagen® competent cells are designed to facilitate proper protein folding, increased solubility or expression of cytotoxic proteins. The most popular brands being Rosetta™, Origami™ and Overnight Express™ systems.


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