Cloning Ligation

Molecular cloning is a method to prepare a recombinant DNA molecule, an extra-chromosomal circular DNA that can replicate autonomously within a microbial host. DNA ligation is commonly used in molecular cloning projects to physically join a DNA vector to a gene of interest. The ends of the DNA fragments can be blunt or cohesive and must contain monophosphate groups on the 5' ends. Following the mechanism described above, the covalent bonds are formed and a closed circular molecule is created that is capable of transforming a host bacterial strain. The recombinant plasmid maintained in the host is then available for amplification prior to downstream applications such as DNA sequencing, protein expression, or gene expression/functional analysis.

Learn more about NEB's extensive selection of DNA Ligases.

NEB continues to develop and produce the most extensive commercially available selection of high-quality, and performance-optimized DNA ligases and ligase master mixes for your ligation needs.  Visit our product page for the complete listing