The design of large DNA constructs is complex and assembly can be a formidable challenge. Chris Voigt, a synthetic biologist at the Broad Institute, and his team developed a computational environment (Cello) to standardize design of these assemblies based on user-supplied parameters and constraint. As Voigt and his team point out, the behavior of genetic circuits is dependent on many parts whose function can vary depending on genetic context, strain and growth conditions.
When it came to selecting a competent cell strain, they chose NEB 10-beta Competent E. coli. Why was NEB 10-beta was chosen for Cello?
- Reduced recombination from RecA1 mutation
- Ability to clone and propagate large plasmids
- High transformation efficiency
- Better growth on M9 + glucose than some other strains
- Resistant to phage T1
- Defined genotype
- Already being used in many labs around the world