Gibson Assembly® Master Mix – Assembly (E2611)

Protocols.io also provides an interactive version of this protocol where you can discover and share optimizations with the research community. 

Optimal Quantities

NEB recommends a total of 0.02–0.5 pmols of DNA fragments when 1 or 2 fragments are being assembled into a vector and 0.2–1.0 pmoles of DNA fragments when 4–6 fragments are being assembled. Efficiency of assembly decreases as the number or length of fragments increases. To calculate the number of pmols of each fragment for optimal assembly, based on fragment length and weight, we recommend using NEB's online tool, NEBioCalculator , or using the following formula:

pmols = (weight in ng) x 1,000 / (base pairs x 650 daltons)

50 ng of 5000 bp dsDNA is about 0.015 pmols.

50 ng of 500 bp dsDNA is about 0.15 pmols.

The mass of each fragment can be measured using the NanoDrop instrument, absorbance at 260 nm or estimated from agarose gel electrophoresis followed by ethidium bromide staining.

Assembly Protocol:

  1. Set up the following reaction on ice:
      Recommended Amount of Fragments Used for Assembly
    2-3 Fragment Assembly 4-6 Fragment Assembly Positive Control**
    Total Amount of Fragments 0.02–0.5 pmols*
    X μl
    0.2–1 pmols*
    X μl
    10 μl
    Gibson Assembly Master Mix (2X) 10 μl 10 μl 10 μl
    Deionized H2O 10-X μl 10-X μl 0
    Total Volume 20 μl*** 20 μl*** 20 μl

    * Optimized cloning efficiency is 50–100 ng of vector with 2-3 fold molar excess of each insert. Use 5-fold molar excess of any insert(s) less than 200 bp.To achieve optimal assembly efficiency using in 4-6 fragment assemblies, use a 1:1 molar ratio of each insert:vector. Total volume of unpurified PCR fragments in the assembly reaction should not exceed 20%.
    ** Control reagents are provided for 5 experiments.
    *** If greater numbers of fragments are assembled, additional Gibson Assembly Master Mix may
    be required.

  2. Incubate samples in a thermocycler at 50°C for 15 minutes when 2 or 3 fragments are being assembled or 60 minutes when 4-6 fragments are being assembled. Following incubation, store samples on ice or at -20°C for subsequent transformation.
Note: Extended incubation up to 60 minutes may help to improve assembly efficiency in some cases (for further details see FAQ section).
  1. NEBioCalculator Thumbnail

    NEBioCalculator® - Using the ds: mass < — > moles module to plan an NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly Reaction

    This tutorial describes the use of the NEBioCalculator web tool module that converts mass to, or from, moles to help plan an NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly reaction