Gene Synthesis
My Gene Synthesis Provider
Blue Heron
Ordering Process, Options, and Deliverables
Have another question?
Please contact Blue Heron with your questions and a synthesis specialist will get you an answer within 24 hours. Or, please call Customer Service at 888-368-5923 or 425-368-4060.
What is Gene Synthesis?
Gene Synthesis involves the production of any natural or custom-designed, double stranded, cloned and sequence verified DNA fragment. The DNA fragment might be delivered as a purified plasmid and bacterial stab or as a linear fragment. Since 1999, an industry has grown up around providing Gene Synthesis services to researchers who require DNA for their projects.
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Why shouldn't I just synthesize my own genes?
Using Blue Heron’s expertise you eliminate errors, risk, and costs that are simply no longer a necessary part of the research process. In general, it simply makes no sense for researchers to waste their valuable time doing their own gene synthesis — especially when pressed to discover new targets at a faster pace.
- No more PCR amplifying and fixing mutations or errors to get the gene you need
- Avoid the 10% to 30% risk that do-it-yourself PCR methods will not succeed at first
- No more settling for a cloned gene without tags, promoters and needed restriction sites
- No more relying on random mutagenesis and laborious screening methods to isolate the perfect target.
Instead, you can now simply:
- Synthesize the exact gene they need
- Acquire the exact DNA they have determined will express the needed protein
- Specify the exact vector required for the specific experiment
- Complete multiple experimental paths in parallel using exactly-specified variant libraries
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What’s the difference between Blue Heron and other synthesis companies?
The Blue Heron advantage is all about experience, technology, know-how and personal service. For more than 10 years, we have produced tens of millions of error-free base pairs of DNA for thousands of customers. Our proprietary technologies allow nearly any sequence to be delivered successfully. Our advanced software looks for a broad set of sequence “motifs” known to make synthesis more difficult, and applies proprietary techniques to assure production proceeds smoothly on time and within budget. When Blue Heron quotes a project, we deliver what no other company can provide — the assurance your project will go forward without surprises.
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What is GeneMaker®?
Developed initially in 1999, GeneMaker is Blue Heron’s multi-technology platform for high-throughput, automated production of synthesized genes. The platform has been expanded with new technologies to meet the growing demands of the research community. These technologies allow for not only simple and short sequences, but also sequences that are over 20kb in length, sequences containing GC-rich regions and complex repeats, and large sets of sequences with related sub-structures and regions.
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What about Customer Service? Can I speak directly to people who know what they're talking about?
At every stage of the process — from setting up your account, to submitting difficult or complex orders, to providing expert guidance, to keeping you updated on progress and delivering your order quickly and accurately — we are more than a vendor, we are your gene synthesis partner. That means being available for you, responding quickly to your questions, providing you access to the brightest minds in gene synthesis, and keeping you informed about the progress of your orders. In a recent survey, Blue Heron's Customer Service ranked higher than any other vendor and was frequently cited as the reason customers return time and again. We will work hard to earn your trust as we have earned the trust of thousands of researchers worldwide by not only delivering genes, but by delivering a complete, trusted, gene synthesis service that provides what you need to achieve your research objectives.
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Can Blue Heron synthesize any sequence?
If a sequence can be produced - both synthesized and propagated - then Blue Heron can produce it. No other synthesis company can make that claim for the simple reason that Blue Heron is the company other synthesis companies call when they can not complete an order! Very rarely, a sequence simply can not be produced. How rare is this? In ten years and tens of thousands of sequences, less than five have proven impossible to complete. Blue Heron has a far greater depth of technology and know-how for working with difficult genes than any other vendor. That is why even our competitors refer to Blue Heron as the "Gold Standard" of gene synthesis.
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But isn't gene synthesis becoming a commodity?
Every order Blue Heron receives is unique — hardly a commodity! While there are many gene-synthesis providers of simple genes, there is a risk in receiving only commodity results. When you order from Blue Heron, you get years of experience producing millions of base pairs and the knowledge of which techniques are likely to work and which are not. And, if a problem arises, we know how to solve it using any one of multiple synthesis and assembly technologies and dozens of proprietary techniques. Compared to other synthesis companies that are doing little more than attempting the same PCR techniques you can try on your own, Blue Heron delivers the custom designed gene you ordered and, more importantly, that you need.
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What’s the maximum length gene that Blue Heron can synthesize?
Blue Heron has delivered a gene of over 52kb in length and regularly delivers genes of 20kb to 25kb in length. Further, Blue Heron has developed technologies that promises to make it possible to produce genes between 100kb and 300kb in length. Blue Heron is the clear leader in synthesis technology and is the first choice for projects involving unusually long or difficult sequences.
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What’s Blue Heron’s privacy policy?
Blue Heron was the first synthesis company to provide each customer with a private, secure web site for placing orders and reviewing sequencing results. Blue Heron does not share any information about a customer without prior permission. The existence or nature of your projects, the specific sequences ordered, and any specialized information provided to help us complete your projects are all kept completely confidential. This is spelled out in detail in our customer contract.
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How do I place an online gene synthesis order?
To place an order or to receive a quote, you first set up an account. When your account is set up, you will be provided with a private, secure web site to request quotes, use codon optimization tools, place orders and receive sequencing results from your orders. See the link on the home page to get started or call a Customer Service Representative for assistance.
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What standard vectors does Blue Heron use?
Our standard vectors include:
- Blue Heron Bio pUCminusMCS, which lacks a multiple cloning site (included with standard synthesis)
- Blue Heron Bio pUC, a pUC119 derivative containing a multiple cloning site (included with standard synthesis)
Please contact a Blue Heron Bio representative regarding your specific cloning needs, how to provide your own custom vectors, or questions on how to order.
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Are custom genes delivered as a linear fragment or in a vector?
Its up to you. Blue Heron customers have the option of having a gene delivered as a sequence-verified cloned product, a linearized product or as a linear fragment. These types of specifications are defined during the ordering process.
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Can I get my gene in a custom vector? Can I supply the vector?
Yes. Blue Heron can clone into an expression or other type of vector supplied by you. From your online account you will be asked to set up the vector details and then send us a 10ug aliquot of the vector circularized. Due to third party cloning licenses, we are required to have our customers supply us with commercially available vectors including pET vectors. Once we receive an aliquot of the cloning vector, it will be stored for your custom cloning projects. Additional fees apply.
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What is the turnaround time for gene synthesis?
Delivery times for gene synthesis projects depend on the length, complexity and cloning vector requested for your project. For genes of average length and complexity, delivery times run between two and four weeks, although genes are sometimes delivered in as little as seven days! Blue Heron also offers a Rush Delivery Service that may be a better choice when time is critical - call for details. With any biological process, of course, uncontrolled circumstances may occur. The delivery times Blue Heron quotes are "safe" delivery estimates given our experience delivering tens of millions of base pairs of DNA. Be careful comparing quotes from vendors who are willing to state overly-aggressive delivery times to win your business. Because Blue Heron wants to be your gene synthesis partner, we will give you the most accurate estimates possible and will let you know immediately if anything changes during the production process. You should expect no less from your partner. Please contact a Blue Heron Bio Representative regarding your specific project requirements and timeline.
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Can I get my gene codon optimized? Is there an additional fee for this service?
Blue Heron offers two types of output at no additional charge- Codon Optimization and Expression Optimization. Each type of optimized sequence is based on your specific expression requirements and the results are posted automatically to your private online account for your review and option to make any additional changes you need before you place your synthesis order. See more details here.
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Have another question?
Submit your question and a Blue Heron Bio gene synthesis specialist will provide you with an answer within 24 hours. Otherwise, please call Customer Service at 888-368-5923 or 425-368-4060.