Custom gene synthesis

Sequence Information is secure and confidential at IDT. Please see our Confidentiality Statement for more information.

All Genes and MiniGene™ Synthetic Genes are constructed with either gBlocks^® Gene Fragments or Ultramer^® DNA Oligos, and are sequence verified by either Sanger or MiSeq™ system. The exact method used will be determined by IDT as part of the manufacturing process. Your custom genes will arrive dry in a plasmid cloning vector, ready to be used in a variety of applications.

How to order Genes and MiniGene Synthetic Genes

Single gene entry

1. Under Ordering, click on the Order now button.
2. Enter a name for your gene.
3. Copy and paste, or enter your desired DNA sequence using A, C, G, and T bases only
• Degenerate (mixed bases) or modified bases are not offered with our synthetic genes products.
• Prior to adding to your order, sequence complexity can be tested using the Test Complexity button—this allows you to make simple changes to the sequence if necessary.
4. Click the Add to Order button.
5. Select a vector from the popup window.
6. Complete the biohazard information and the order will be placed in the shopping cart for checkout.

Multiple gene entry

Under Ordering, click on the Order now button and select the Bulk Input option at the top left of the ordering tool. Separate your sequences by name as you import Excel or text files.

Order processing

Your order request will be reviewed for the following characteristics which may interfere with synthesis, assembly, or sequencing performance. Potential issues include:

• Secondary structure: hairpins >10 bases and G/C-rich secondary structure
• Repeats and homo-polymeric runs: long repeats, >10 bases for G/C, or >30 bases for A/T
• Overall GC Content >65% and regional GC content <25%
• Restriction site duplications and Dam/Dcm methylation sites that may interfere with digestion by restriction endonuclease

If the sequence does not pass the screening criteria, you will be contacted by a gene services specialist to determine the best way to proceed.

IDT cloning vectors

All of our synthetic gene products are provided in an optimized cloning vector that is ready to be transformed into E. coli. To optimize manufacturing and delivery times, synthetic genes ≤5 kb in length are delivered in a “best-fit” vector (Table 1), for which you can choose between ampicillin or kanamycin selection markers. Upon receiving your gene, you can then subclone it into the vector of your choice using a variety of methods. The identity of the cloning vector used, its sequence, and insertion site will be confirmed in the documentation that accompanies your product.

Table 1. Best-fit vectors for Genes ≤5000 bp

Sequence verification

All inserts for Genes and MiniGene products are sequence verified on both strands. For genes ≤5000 bp, Sanger sequencing information, including chromatograms, a plasmid map, and a FASTA file are available to you via your online IDT account. In some cases, Sanger sequencing may be substituted with MiSeq^® system (Illumina) data.

A sequencing certificate of analysis will be provided for genes ≥5001 bp. To download your sequence information, log in to your account, click on the Order Menu tab, and click the View All link next to Order History in Your Order Center, on the right-hand side of the page. Locate your order number in the order history and click on the QC link within your order to download the supporting files for your gene.

Frequently asked questions

Codon Optimization Tool

Optimizes a protein coding sequence that is derived from one species for expression in another.

Genes & gene fragments order status

Track your order (Genes & gene fragments only)

Biosecurity

We screen the sequence of every gene order we receive to (1) identify any regulated and other potentially dangerous pathogen sequences, and (2) verify that IDT’s gene customers are legitimate scientists engaged in beneficial research.

IDT is among the five founding members of the International Gene Synthesis Consortium (IGSC), and helped to create the IGSC’s Harmonized Screening Protocol. The Harmonized Screening Protocol describes the gene sequence and customer screening practices that IGSC member companies employ to prevent the misuse of synthetic genes. IDT takes the steps set out in the Harmonized Screening Protocol to screen the sequences of ordered genes and the prospective customers who submit those orders.