First Add-On Module Automates Cloning of DNA Sequences

The producer of the world's first commercial "DNA printer" is introducing a cloning module that will endow the system with the ability to synthesize and clone custom-designed DNA with an overnight instrument run.

SGI-DNA Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics Inc. (La Jolla, CA, USA) and the manufacturer of the BioXp 3200 System for DNA synthesis, has announced the launch of beta-testing of the BioXp 3200 System Cloning Module.


The benchtop BioXp System is a genomic workstation that generates high-quality DNA from custom designed reagents. Now, with the introduction of the Cloning Module, the BioXp System has the additional capability to assemble and simultaneously deliver up to 24 DNA clones from custom DNA sequences submitted electronically. This module will enable researchers to obtain cloned de novo DNA fragments in their laboratory virtually hands-free, further automating and shortening molecular biology work flows without relying on an external service company.

To synthesis genes on the BioXp system requires custom BioXp reagents. After identifying the desired DNA sequence the researcher uploads a FASTA file to the SGIDNA secure website. The BioXp 3200 System reagents are then manufactured to the researcher's specifications. To begin the assembly reaction, the researcher loads his custom reagents onto the BioXp 3200 deck according to the deck map provided with the reagents. The BioXp connects over the Internet with the cloud to pull down the optimized protocol. The instrument prompts the beginning of the application run. DNA assembly runs generally require 12–17 hours depending on the complexity of the construct.

"It is truly exciting that the technologies we developed for simplifying molecular biology are now being automated by the BioXp System," said Dr. Daniel Gibson, vice president of DNA Technology at SGI-DNA. "The cloning module is very important as it will pave the way to help researchers streamline the study of genes and gene families at an unprecedented rate."

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SGI-DNA Inc. (Synthetic Genomics Inc.)