Cloning & Expression Systems

Cloning and expression systems with vectors, cloning kits, and delivery tools for every workflow

The right expression system shapes every step of your workflow, from cloning the insert to controlling expression level. Available routes span cell-free systems and viral and non-viral delivery. Options include lentiviral packaging, AAV production by serotype, transposon-based stable integration, and inducible expression control.

Lentiviral systems integrate stably into both dividing and non-dividing cells, with 2nd and 3rd generation packaging configurations available. AAV vectors give you serotypes 1 to 11 for use in vitro and in vivo.

Non-viral integration is also available. PiggyBac transposon technology and site-specific integrase give you stable expression without biosafety constraints. Minicircle and enhanced episomal vectors, or EEVs, give you non-integrating stable expression instead. If you need expression without any cell culture step, cell-free transcription-translation systems work directly from a DNA template in a few hours.

For inducible control, cumate-CymR and Tet-based platforms are available to you. For subcloning, choose from ligation-free sequence-independent assembly, ligation-independent cloning kits, clone collections, and pre-built mammalian expression vectors. Competent cells for general subcloning and Gibson assembly workflows are also available.

The sections below map each delivery route to your recommended starting approach.

Select your expression route

1. No transformation, no viral work, fast protein needed today. A cell-free expression system fits here, working from a PCR product or plasmid in a few hours at the bench, and skips the cell culture step entirely.

2. Stable integration, dividing and non-dividing cells, S2/BSL-2 acceptable. Lentiviral packaging with 2nd or 3rd generation packaging mixes covers this, and a cumate-inducible transfer vector gives you dosing control if you need it.

3. In vivo gene delivery or post-mitotic primary cells. AAV matched by serotype to your target tissue covers this. AAV shows broad tropism with tissue specificity across serotypes. It avoids a strong immune response in vivo and does not integrate into the host genome. Order an AAV serotype testing kit if you are unsure which serotype to use.

4. Stable integration, no viral biosafety constraint. Transposon-based systems such as PiggyBac, or a site-specific integrase system, cover this. Both need only standard transfection equipment already in your lab, with no S2/BSL-2 approval.

5. Long-term episomal expression without integration. Enhanced episomal or minicircle vectors cover this. These suit primary cells or applications where lower immunogenicity in vivo matters for your work.

6. Cloning a new insert into an expression backbone. Ligation-free sequence-independent assembly covers any sequence in under 30 minutes. Alternatively, a pre-validated mammalian expression vector with selectable tags suits direct subcloning into your characterised backbone.