Optimization Tool
Blue Heron provides customers with a free Expression Optimization tool to assist in sequence design. In many cases researchers have found improved protein expression results after optimization (see link below). Each optimization request generates two optimized sequences posted electronically to the customer's dedicated, secure website:

• Codon Optimized sequence which seeks to match the codon utilization of customer's amino acid sequence with the codon frequency of the host organism chosen while including and/or excluding specific DNA sequences.
• Expression Optimized sequence which has completed the optimization for Codon Optimized sequences above and further minimizes the corresponding secondary mRNA structure to reduce translational impediments.

Based on customer data, the Codon Optimized sequence is best when used for mammalian expression and the Expression Optimized sequence for non-mammalian expression. Although Blue Heron does not guarantee that either optimization will improve expression, reports from our customers and collaborators have generally been positive.