A number of different methods, technologies, and protocols are available for performing the actual cloning reaction. To choose the one that best meets your needs, you will need to analyze the current parameters of your experiment and plan ahead for any downstream procedures. This section discusses several highly efficient cloning technologies:

The table below can help you navigate your way through these technologies.

View our Cloning Technologies Guide

 Restriction Enzyme CloningTA-CloningTOPO (TA, blunt, directional)Gateway Cloning TechnologyGeneArt Seamless CloningGeneArt Type IIs AssemblyGeneArt High-Order Genetic Assembly
Fragments Cloned Simultaneously111Up to 4Up to 4Up to 8Up to 10
Max Fragment(s) SizeVariable1-3 kb<5 kb
(<10 kb for XL-TOPO)
VariableUp to 10 kb, max total size of 40 kb
Up to 10 kb, max total size of 13-20 kb
Up to 100 kb, max total size of 110 kb
Gene Shuttling Between Vectors w/o PCR or Restriction EnzymesNONONOYESNONONO
Seamless (No Extra Sequences)NONONONOYESYESYES
Use Your Own VectorYESNONOYES (may require conversion)
YESYESYES
Time to Clone Multiple FragmentsDays to WeeksNot PossibleNot
Possible
>4 Days1 hr1 hr3 Days
4 Fragment Cloning EfficiencyNANANA30% - 85%75%>90%>90%
Web-Based Vector Design ToolNONONONOYESYESYES

Browse for vectors using our Vector selection tool

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.