Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.

FastCloning, a paradigm shift in PCR cloning, has streamlined the process by eliminating laborious, multi-step traditional methods. This innovative technique, pioneered by Li et al. (2011), utilizes overlapping PCR primers and DpnI digestion for seamless integration of insert DNA into any desired ve...

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Main Authors: Pradip Kumar Singh, Michael S Donnenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306950
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author Pradip Kumar Singh
Michael S Donnenberg
author_facet Pradip Kumar Singh
Michael S Donnenberg
author_sort Pradip Kumar Singh
collection DOAJ
description FastCloning, a paradigm shift in PCR cloning, has streamlined the process by eliminating laborious, multi-step traditional methods. This innovative technique, pioneered by Li et al. (2011), utilizes overlapping PCR primers and DpnI digestion for seamless integration of insert DNA into any desired vector position, regardless of restriction sites. This versatility makes FastCloning ideal for constructing fusion proteins, chimeric cDNAs, and manipulating genes with unparalleled ease. However, efficient primer design remains a critical hurdle, particularly for newcomers, as errors can lead to failed cloning attempts. To address this bottleneck, we present FastCloneAssist, a user-friendly Python program that automates FastCloning primer design with minimal user input. Users simply provide vector and insert sequences, along with the desired melting temperature (Tm), and FastCloneAssist provides best primer pairs after calculating optimal primer parameters for efficient PCR amplification and seamless DNA integration using established bioinformatics libraries. This open-source, freely available tool simplifies and accelerates cloning, making this powerful technique accessible to researchers of all levels and expediting scientific discovery.
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spelling doaj-art-2f21bdfada0441fa8aff8ef490bbb24e2025-08-20T01:54:21ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01203e030695010.1371/journal.pone.0306950Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.Pradip Kumar SinghMichael S DonnenbergFastCloning, a paradigm shift in PCR cloning, has streamlined the process by eliminating laborious, multi-step traditional methods. This innovative technique, pioneered by Li et al. (2011), utilizes overlapping PCR primers and DpnI digestion for seamless integration of insert DNA into any desired vector position, regardless of restriction sites. This versatility makes FastCloning ideal for constructing fusion proteins, chimeric cDNAs, and manipulating genes with unparalleled ease. However, efficient primer design remains a critical hurdle, particularly for newcomers, as errors can lead to failed cloning attempts. To address this bottleneck, we present FastCloneAssist, a user-friendly Python program that automates FastCloning primer design with minimal user input. Users simply provide vector and insert sequences, along with the desired melting temperature (Tm), and FastCloneAssist provides best primer pairs after calculating optimal primer parameters for efficient PCR amplification and seamless DNA integration using established bioinformatics libraries. This open-source, freely available tool simplifies and accelerates cloning, making this powerful technique accessible to researchers of all levels and expediting scientific discovery.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306950
spellingShingle Pradip Kumar Singh
Michael S Donnenberg
Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
PLoS ONE
title Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
title_full Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
title_fullStr Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
title_full_unstemmed Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
title_short Revolutionizing Molecular cloning: Introducing FastCloneAssist, a Streamlined Python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction & ligation-independent PCR cloning.
title_sort revolutionizing molecular cloning introducing fastcloneassist a streamlined python tool for optimizing primer design in restriction amp ligation independent pcr cloning
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306950
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AT michaelsdonnenberg revolutionizingmolecularcloningintroducingfastcloneassistastreamlinedpythontoolforoptimizingprimerdesigninrestrictionampligationindependentpcrcloning