Protocol for Bridging double-stranded DNA with a single-stranded DNA oligo using NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly (NEB #E2621)
This method allows you to assemble a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligo insert and a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) vector fragment. The resulting construct can be used to prepare a library of inserts using the same overlap sequences at each end and a variable region in the middle, as in the following application note: Bridging dsDNA with a ssDNA Oligo and NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly to create an sgRNA-Cas9 Expression Vector
This protocol is recommended for the assembly of the following types of DNA fragment:
- Short ssDNA inserts with 25 nucleotide (nt) overlaps
- dsDNA vector linearized by PCR or restriction digest
The 3’ mismatch removal capabilities of the NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly allow for short barcodes (<10 nt) and residual bases from restriction digestions to be removed during assembly. Please see the following video for more information: NEBuilder® HiFi DNA Assembly Removal of 3´ end Mismatches
Single-stranded DNA oligo design
The ssDNA oligo should have 25-30 nucleotide overlaps on each end with the vector; there is no need to phosphorylate the 5’ end. This protocol is recommended for short insert sizes (1-25 bases). Please be aware, longer ssDNA oligos are more prone to secondary structure formation which may impact assembly performance.
DNA Quantities
This protocol uses a 1:200 (vector:insert) molar ratio with 0.005 picomoles of vector and 1 picomole of ssDNA oligo.
Protocol
- Dilute resuspended oligos (100 μM stock) to a final concentration of 0.2 μM (0.2 pmol/μl) using TE buffer (10 mM Tris, 0.1 mM EDTA; pH 8.0) supplemented with 50 mM NaCl (or 1X NEBuffer r2.1). This can be done by taking 1 µl of 100 μM oligo stock and diluting it with 499 μl of buffer.
- Set-up the following reaction on ice:
- Incubate the reaction at 50°C in a thermocycler for 60 min. Transform 2 μl of assembled mix into NEB 5-alpha Competent E. coli (High Efficiency) (NEB #C2987) following the recommended protocol.
Component | 20 µl Reaction | Final Conc. Or Amount |
---|---|---|
ssDNA Oligo (0.2 pmol/μl)* |
5 μl | 1 pmol (1:200 vector:insert ratio) |
Vector (0.005 pmol/μl)* | 1 μl | 0.005 pmol |
Nuclease-free Water | 4 μl | |
NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly Master Mix 2X | 10 μl | 1X |
* NEBioCalculator (NEBioCalculator.neb.com) can help with DNA mass to molar quantity conversions for both ssDNA and dsDNA.
Note: If you are working with large plasmids >10 kb in size we recommend NEB® 10-beta Competent E. coli (High Efficiency) (NEB #C3019H). If your plasmid or insert contain repetitive sequences, we recommend NEB® Stable Competent E. coli (High Efficiency) (NEB #C3040H).