SITE-SATUR-MUT G16 500 BP B - FAQs

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10 product FAQs found

What information do you need in order to provide a price estimate for your GeneArt mutagenesis service?

For GeneArt mutagenesis services, we will need the DNA or amino acid sequence of the gene you would like to mutagenize, the host organism you plan to use (this is important for gene optimization if you choose to include it with your request), the restriction sites you need at the 5'/3' ends and/or to avoid internally, and whether or not you want any other added motifs (e.g., Kozak sequence, stop codons, etc.).

What quality criteria can I expect in GeneArt synthetic libraries?

Three criteria are important for degenerate libraries and are quality-controlled in all GeneArt degenerate libraries (excluding the GeneArt Strings DNA Libraries):

- Maximum sequence integrity of the non-degenerate parts
- Maximum sequence variation of the degenerate positions with the requested nucleotide distribution
- Maximum library diversity

What are some examples of what GeneArt Directed Evolution can be used for?

Here are some examples:

- Increase or adjust promoter strength or specificity
- Enhance or modulate protein stability
- Modify or combine enzyme properties
- Increase binding affinities of receptors, ligands, and antibodies
- Optimize or alter signal peptide efficiencies
- Destroy protein function while retaining immunogenicity
- Combine and select natural polymorphisms
- Increase protein half life
- Adjust thermal stability

Can a GeneArt synthetic library be subcloned in my vector?

Yes. For this purpose, please send in your own customized vector or a commercially available vector.

What material do I have to supply for GeneArt degenerate library synthesis?

No material is necessary. For library creation, all we need is the sequence file, submitted electronically, and information about the position and nature of the sites you want to randomize. We can provide a quote for your project through our online ordering system (https://www.thermofisher.com/order/geneartgenes/projectmgmt). If needed, you can then relate detailed information about your library request to our production scientists prior to starting the project.

What if my synthetic degenerate library design doesn't fit any of these GeneArt library types?

If you require a degenerate library with an unusual design please send an email to geneartsupport@lifetech.com. We will consider any project and in the vast majority of cases will find a solution to fulfill your requirements.

What types of synthetic GeneArt degenerated libraries are available?

Combinatorial Libraries (up to 1,011 variants): Simultaneous randomization of multiple codons, TRIM technology optional
Site-Saturation Mutagenesis (up to 20 variants): Randomization of a single codon with every possible non–wild type variant
Sequential Permutation Libraries (# of codons x 20 variants): Successive site-saturation mutagenesis
Controlled Randomization (up to 1,011 variants): Unbiased random substitutions with defined frequency
Cloned cDNA of all known human SH3 domains
Truncation Libraries: Customer-defined truncations without out-of-frame mutations.
GeneArt Strings DNA Libraries: linear DNA fragments that can contain up to three regions of randomized nucleotides

Why do I need rational diversity when I can screen a large number of random mutants from my degenerate DNA library?

There are a number of reasons:

- Because you already know that certain amino acid substitutions disturb the function of your protein (e.g., cysteines in complementarity determining regions (CDRs)).
- Because the number of possible variants of a protein is astronomically high, exceeding the capacity of even the highest-throughput screening capabilities by many orders of magnitude. The fewer useless mutations, such as those occurring in less important regions of the protein or that cause frame shifts or stop codons, the better your chances of finding a variant that results in the desired phenotype.
- Some screening assays are cost and labor intensive; thus, screening fewer clones saves time and money.

What are the advantages of synthetic DNA libraries over conventional protocols for creating diversity?

Conventional protocols for degenerated library creation (e.g., error-prone PCR) incorporate many unwanted mutations. Moreover, methods like DNA shuffling cannot typically cause recombination of directly adjacent mutations. Synthetic combinatorial libraries, on the other hand, limit the introduction of mutations to defined regions at the precise frequencies requested. In addition, adjacent mutations will be recombined (shuffled) independent of their proximity.

What should a GeneArt degenerate DNA library look like for the best chance of finding an improved version of my protein?

The answer depends on the specifics of your project. In general, it is advantageous to keep the diversity of a library as low as possible, targeting only the regions of a gene/protein that are likely to be functionally important. The following information can help determine this: crystal structure, conserved motifs, presence of homologs, etc.