From your sequence to a ready-to-transform plasmid. No cloning steps required on your side.
The Difference Between a Fragment and a Ready-to-Use Construct
Many gene synthesis providers deliver a fragment. You still need to clone it into your expression vector, verify orientation, confirm sequence, and prepare plasmid stock. That process typically adds one to three weeks and consumes researcher time that could be spent on experiments.
BioCat delivers the construct in the vector you need, sequence-verified, ready to transform or transfect. One order, one delivery, one less cloning campaign.
For labs that have not run routine cloning in years, this is not a convenience; it is how synthesis works. For labs still doing downstream cloning themselves, it is worth calculating how many hours you spend per construct.
161 Standard Vectors Across All Major Expression Systems
BioCat maintains a library of 161 validated expression vectors covering:
- Bacterial expression (E. coli): pET, pGEX, pMAL and related backbones
- Yeast expression: pPICZ, pGAPZ and Saccharomyces cerevisiae systems
- Mammalian expression: pcDNA, pCMV, lentiviral and retroviral vectors
- Insect cell expression: baculovirus transfer vectors
- Plant expression systems
If none of the 161 standard vectors match your requirements, you can provide your own vector. We require the full sequence of the empty vector. Please note that charges apply both for initial custom vector onboarding and for subsequent uses of that vector. Contact us before ordering to confirm compatibility and pricing.
Included With Every Cloned Gene Order
The following services are provided at no additional charge as standard:
Codon optimization
Codon optimization for your target expression organism is available at no extra charge on request. We review your gene against validated codon usage tables for E. coli, yeast, mammalian, insect, and other common systems. The optimized sequence can be reviewed before synthesis begins.
Restriction site removal and addition
We remove restriction sites that would interfere with cloning or downstream applications, and add sites required for your cloning strategy. This is performed as part of sequence preparation at no extra cost.
Tag integration
His-tags, FLAG tags, HA tags, Strep tags, and other common affinity or epitope tags can be incorporated into the synthesis design. There is no specific fee for tag addition; however, additional bases increase the total sequence length and will be reflected in the synthesis price. Specify your requirements when ordering.
Sequence verification
All cloned inserts are verified by Sanger sequencing to confirm correct sequence and orientation. For custom vector orders, partial sequencing is performed unless full-plasmid sequencing is requested. Full-plasmid sequencing can be added to any order on request.
Plasmid preparation
For Researchers With Specific Expression Requirements
Standard codon optimization and cloning covers the majority of requests. Some projects require additional consideration:
- Signal peptide optimization for secreted proteins
- Kozak sequence verification for mammalian expression
- Promoter compatibility review for particular vector/cell combinations
- Multi-insert constructs with internal IRES or 2A elements
- Large reading frames above 5 kb requiring assembly strategies
For these requests, contact our technical team before ordering. A scientist will review your design requirements and advise on the best approach. This consultation is free and does not commit you to an order.
If synthesis cannot be completed, there is no charge. Any exceptions are communicated in your quote before you commit. We never add any additional fees without our customers' approval.
Sequence Accuracy You Can Rely On
Verified accuracy is not optional in gene synthesis. Subtle errors, particularly in large constructs or constructs with repetitive elements, can escape detection if quality control is limited to partial sequencing.
BioCat's quality process:
- All inserts are sequence-verified by Sanger sequencing as standard
- Correct cloning orientation is confirmed for every order
- Full-plasmid sequencing is available on request, providing end-to-end confirmation including vector backbone
- If a delivered sequence contains an error attributable to our synthesis, we re-synthesize at no charge
For critical constructs where experimental resources are being committed on the basis of sequence accuracy, we recommend requesting full-plasmid sequencing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can send your vector to BioCat, or provide the full sequence of the empty vector for us to work from. Charges apply for both initial custom vector onboarding and subsequent uses. Contact us before ordering to confirm compatibility and pricing.
Codon optimization is available at no charge with all gene synthesis orders, on request. If you want your sequence optimized for a specific expression organism, specify this when ordering. We can optimize for E. coli, yeast, mammalian, insect, plant, and other systems. The optimized sequence can be reviewed before synthesis begins.
BioCat offers 161 standard vectors covering bacterial, yeast, mammalian, insect, and plant expression systems. If none of the standard options match your requirements, custom vectors can be accommodated. Charges apply for both initial onboarding and subsequent uses of custom vectors.
Yes. All cloned inserts are verified by Sanger sequencing to confirm correct sequence and orientation. Custom vector inserts are partially sequenced as standard; full-plasmid sequencing can be added on request. We recommend full-plasmid sequencing for large or structurally complex constructs.
Yes. His-tags, FLAG, HA, Strep, and other affinity or epitope tags can be incorporated into the synthesis design. There is no charge for tag addition as a service; the additional bases are included in the total sequence length for pricing purposes. Signal peptides, linkers, and other structural elements can also be included. Specify your modifications in the order form or contact our technical team for advice.