Is it possible to perform a fast transformation protocol with the MultiShot competent cells?
There are situations where either because of time or process limitations, elimination of the heat shock and recovery time post-heat shock in the transformation protocol would be desirable. Testing was performed on many of our chemically competent cells in both the MultiShot StripWell and MultiShot FlexPlate format with a shortened transformation protocol. Use of a rapid transformation protocol (add DNA, no heat shock, no recovery period, plate on warm agar) yielded up to a log lower in transformation efficiency using the control DNA. This rapid transformation protocol can be performed with expectation of lower colony counts than our standard high efficiency transformation protocol and can only be performed with plasmids that use ampicillin as their antibiotic resistance. The rapid protocol is ideal when using a liquid handling system for high-throughput transformations with high cloning efficiency. Please see the product manual for full details on this rapid transformation protocol option.
Can I use a thermal cycler or heat block to heat shock the competent cells in the MultiShot FlexPlate?
The MultiShot FlexPlate is a PCR plate and can be placed in a thermal cycler or heat block set at 42 degrees C to transform the cells by the heat shock method. The duration of the heat shock performed in these devices has yielded similar transformation efficiencies as that seen with heat shock done in a water bath.
Which E. coli strains do you offer in the MultiShot StripWell format?
We offer the following E. coli strains in the MultiShot StripWell format: TOP10, DH5alpha T1R, Mach1 T1R, Stbl3, and BL21 Star (DE3) chemically competent cells.
Which E. coli strains do you offer in the MultiShot FlexPlate format?
We offer the following E. coli strains in the MultiShot FlexPlate format: TOP10, DH5alpha T1R, DH10B T1R, Mach1 T1R, OmniMAX2 T1R, and Stbl3 chemically competent cells.
What are the differences between the MultiShot StripWell, MultiShot FlexPlate, and MultiShot formats of E. coli cells?
The MultiShot StripWell format is supplied as pre-aliquoted competent cells in 96 tubes contained in a rack. The tubes are attached in strips of 8 tubes, and there are 12 strips that contain 50 µL of chemically competent cells. This format offers the most flexibility to transform 1 tube or up to all 96 tubes at once and is intended for varied or medium-throughput use.
The MultiShot FlexPlate format is supplied as pre-aliquoted competent cells in a 96-well PCR plate. Each well contains 20 µL of competent cells. The plate can be separated at each column of 8 wells, offering a high level of flexibility to utilize various increments of 8 wells per transformation. The wells of the plate are heat sealed, preventing detachment of the aluminum seal in the -80 degrees C freezer and preventing contamination. This format is compatible with automated liquid handling platforms and is intended for medium- to high-throughput use.
The MultiShot format is supplied as pre-aliquoted competent cells in 5, 96-well thin-wall polycarbonate microplates. Each well of the 96-well microplate contains 15 µL of chemically competent cells. This format is compatible with automated liquid handling platforms and is intended for high-throughput use.