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DNA Ligase Selection Chart

While more than one ligase may work for your application, the following selection chart presents our recommendations for optimal performance. To select a ligase based upon the type of substrate present, please visit Substrate-based Ligase Selection Chart. In addition, the Properties of DNA and RNA Ligases will help you understand the differences between them.

	Blunt/TA Ligase Master Mix	Instant Sticky-end Master Mix	ElectroLigase^®	T4 DNA Ligase	Hi-T4^™ DNA Ligase	Immobilized T4 DNA Ligase	Salt-T4^® DNA Ligase	Quick Ligation™ Kit	NEBridge^® Ligase Master Mix	T3 DNA Ligase	T7 DNA Ligase	HiFi Taq DNA Ligase	Taq DNA Ligase	9°N^™ DNA Ligase	SplintR^® Ligase	E.coli DNA Ligase
DNA APPLICATIONS
Ligation of sticky ends¹	✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓				✓	NR
Ligation of blunt ends	✓✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	NR	✓	✓✓	✓	✓
T/A cloning	✓✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	NR	✓	✓✓	✓	NR	NR
Golden Gate Assembly	✓	✓	✓	✓✓	NR	ND	NR	✓	✓✓	NR	NR
Repair of nicks in dsDNA	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓✓	✓✓	✓	✓	✓✓
Ligation of sticky ends only²											✓✓
Ligation-Dependent DNA Sequence & SNP Detection (LCR, LDR & related methods)												✓✓	✓	✓
Ligation-Dependent RNA Sequence & SNP Detection	ND	ND	ND	NR	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND						✓✓
Ligation of adjacent ssDNAs on an RNA splint	ND	ND	ND	NR	ND	ND	ND	ND	ND						✓✓
FEATURES
Salt tolerance (>2X that for T4 DNA Ligase)							✓			✓
Ligation in 15 min. or less	✓	✓		✓	✓		✓	✓		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Master Mix Formulation	✓	✓							✓
Thermostable												✓	✓	✓
Thermotolerant					✓							✓	✓	✓
Recombinant	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Reusable/Removable						✓
Electroporation Compatible			✓✓	✓	✓

KEY
✓✓	Optimal, recommended ligase for selected application
✓	Works well for selected application
NR	Will perform selected application, but is not recommended
ND	No data
	Does not work for selected application
¹	Sticky-end is defined as a 2-5 nucleotide overlap
²	Not including single-stranded nicks

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