A New Tool for Synthetic Biology Researchers

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) announced recently that it is taking orders for a new product that represents a

significant advancement for synthetic biology tools. gBlocks Gene Fragments are double-stranded, sequence-verified genomic blocks up to 500 base pairs. Their high sequence fidelity and rapid delivery time makes gBlocks Gene Fragments ideal for a range of biology applications, including easy assembly of multiple gene fragments to

reliably generate larger gene constructs.

Priced at US$99, gBlocks Gene Fragments significantly reduce the cost for synthetic gene synthesis to less than US$0.20 per base pair. Cost for traditional gene synthesis currently exceeds US$0.30 per base pair and is often subject to expensive complexity fees and long delivery times. gBlocks Gene Fragments are provided as linear doublestranded DNA rather than already cloned into a vector, meaning that they can be easily and quickly utilised for a wide range of applications including custom protein synthesis, microRNA analysis, in vitro transcription and many more. For this reason, they are available with or without 5’ phosphate modification depending on the required application.

Each order is supplied as 200ng of dried DNA, ensuring maximal stability prior to use, with most orders delivered within 3 – 4 business days. Although the blocks are versatile enough to use with most published synthesis methods such as cloning with blunt ends, restriction sites or T/A overhangs, when combined via isothermal gene assembly, it is possible to create a completely custom 2kb construct in less than an hour. Combined, these features allow scientists to speed up their research and increase the number of gene design variants they include in their  experiments

Shawn Allen, Synthetic Biology Business Unit Leader at IDT commented, “Response to the launch of gBlocks Gene Fragments last week at the International Plant and Animal Genome Conference (PAG 2012, San Diego) was even

better than expected. Synthetic biologists, pharmaceutical companies, and AgBio customers alike are already commenting about how gBlocks Gene Fragments enable them to do experiments they previously thought to be impossible due to cost and turn-around time.”