User:STEMGeek/sandbox

Addgene is a non-profit, global plasmid repository that streamlines scientific sharing. As a biological resource center, Addgene works with laboratories to collect and store plasmids and their associated cloning data. Upon request, the plasmids are shipped to laboratories around the world for use in scientific and medical research. Addgene also has a large online database of plasmid cloning information and references, including lists of commonly used vector backbones, popular lentiviral plasmids, and molecular cloning protocols.

Description
Addgene was founded in 2004, by Melina Fan, Ph.D., Kenneth Fan, and Benjie Chen, Ph.D., as a resource for scientists to easily store, search, and share plasmids for use in scientific and medical research. Addgene's headquarters are located in Cambridge, MA. The plasmid collection is stored and shipped from this location, although a copy of each plasmid is also stored at a backup location in Rockville, MD.

As a non-profit organization, Addgene provides plasmid archival and distribution at no fee to scientists depositing to the repository. The organization covers the operating costs of maintaining and improving the collection by charging a nominal fee to scientists requesting plasmids.

Content
Plasmid Repository

As of October 2012, the Addgene collection included over 20,000 plasmids from 1,300 labs and the organization had shipped more than 225,000 plasmids. Addgene’s plasmid collection represents a range of disciplines and can be used for a variety of functions such as gene expression, shRNA knockdown, retroviral and lentiviral-mediated gene delivery, detection of miRNA and promoter activity, in vivo development of transgenic animals, as well as applications in a wide range of cells and organisms.

The plasmid collection includes:


 * Empty backbones
 * Species-specific expression
 * Epitope tags
 * Fusion proteins
 * Selectable markers
 * Fluorescent marker
 * Viral vectors
 * Lentiviral
 * Adenoviral
 * AAV
 * cDNA expression
 * shRNA expression
 * Genome modification
 * Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) kits
 * Zinc finger nuclease kits

Molecular Biology Tools

Vector Database- A curated list of over 4,000 commonly used vector backbones, including relevant cloning information and bacterial growth conditions.

Sequence Analyzer- A software tool developed by Addgene to create plasmid maps from sequences with annotated features and restriction sites.

Molecular Biology Reference- A collection of references for commonly used molecular biology reagents, such as primers, restriction enzymes, and antibiotic concentrations.

Plasmid Cloning Guides

Molecular Cloning Guides- References to help scientists design their plasmid cloning experiments, including tutorials on restriction enzyme digestion and PCR-based cloning.

Molecular Cloning Protocols- Specific protocols for a variety of plasmid cloning techniques, such as isolation of bacterial colonies, DNA purification by gel electrophoresis, and bacterial transformation.