DNA Assembly Method Standardization for Synthetic Biomolecular Circuits and Systems

Abstract

As molecular biology tasks progress from single gene expression to the implementation of entire metabolic pathways and behavioral genetic circuitry, DNA assembly, the process of cloning/constructing a contiguous piece of DNA from a set of composite parts, poses an increasingly formidable challenge. Standardized DNA assembly methodologies have recently emerged that enable and facilitate part re-use, assembly design automation, and high-throughput physical assembly protocols. This chapter reviews the BioBrick, SLIC, Gibson, CPEC and Golden Gate methods, and compares and contrasts their respective strengths, limitations and extents of standardization.