Gene Synthesis: A Quick Overview Including Different Synthesis Techniques and Applications

Gene synthesis is an integral part of molecular biology. It focuses on generating probes for live science activities. Gene therapy, human genomes, disease detection and research, tissue replacements, drugs and vaccine discovery are a few of the many sectors that rely on gene synthesis. The same application also profoundly impacts genetic network design and metabolic engineering.

Previously, scientists and researchers only used classic genetic methods to facilitate the modification of one molecule at a time. However, technological advancements in biological science have empowered gene synthesis firms to provide top-notch sequencing services to streamline the production of mutated genes, novel DNA, and recombinant genes through a custom synthesis process.

First, in this post, we will learn the fundamental concept of gene synthesis in layman's terms and then shed light on its different methods and applications. So, without wasting time, let's dive into today's discussion.

Gene Synthesis Summary

Gene synthesis, also known as artificial gene synthesis, refers to a group of methods used to fabricate and assemble genes from nucleotides de novo. The corresponding technologies related to all these methods emphasize the chemical synthesis of oligonucleotides to deliver the building blocks for enzymatic assembly.

DNA synthesis in living cells requires template DNA, but its artificial approach does not require such things. It allows biologists to synthesize virtually any DNA sequence in the laboratory through two significant steps. The first step, solid-phase DNA synthesis, is also called DNA printing. This technique generates oligonucleotide fragments that typically stay under 200 base pairs. The next stage involves linking these oligonucleotide fragments using various DNA assembly techniques.

Gene Synthesis Methods

In this section, we will discuss the three major gene synthesis methods that are:

• Solid-Phase Synthesis: It incorporates a traditional approach of oligonucleotide synthesis employing a small-scale solution processed in a column full of chemicals. Oligonucleotides in this method are synthesized by attaching nucleotide residues stepwise at the last part of the chain. Solid-phase synthesis technique is noted for its high accuracy, but conducting this technique is a costly affair.
• Chip-Based DNA Synthesis: This technique involves microarray chips and employs electrochemical techniques. In this procedure, biologists can synthesize different types of oligonucleotides in different portions of the chips. This synthesis process is cheaper than solid-phase synthesis, but you can't expect a higher accuracy rate from the chip-based DNA synthesis method.
• PCR Based Enzyme Synthesis: Biologists use the PCR-based enzyme synthesis technique to produce gene fragments through various cell systems. This method can efficiently synthesize large gene fragments without compromising the accuracy of the gene sequence.

Kindly note that these gene synthesis methods can't replace each other. Depending on the mission requirements, scientists and researchers pick the right technique.

Gene Synthesis Applications

Synthetic genes have extensive implications in various areas, from metabolic engineering to genetic circuits. Today, we commonly see its applications in fields like:

1. Synthetic Biology
2. Plant Biology Research
3. Vaccine Design
4. Therapeutic Antibodies
5. Cancer Biology
6. Genetic Engineering
7. Neuroscience etc.

We hope the concept of gene synthesis is now clear to you. Feel free to get in touch with one of our representatives if you still have any questions regarding this technique. Bio Basic Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of genes offering affordable synthesis services. As a silent OEM, we have synthesized numerous base pairs of genes in the last 15 years for scientists and scholars across the globe. Contact us now to discuss your requirements.