Custom Fosmid Libraries

Fosmid libraries are an excellent tool for a variety of applications. Fosmid's are single copy, highly stable, have extremely uniform insert sizes (~40 Kb +/- 5 Kb), and can be made from genomic DNA prepared in liquid. These features make Fosmid the vector of choice for difficult to extract and complex genomes.

Amplicon Express (AEX) uses an optimized Hydroshear technology (random mechanical shearing and end repair) to generate insert DNA minimizing cloning bias. Fosmid libraries are an excellent choice for screening, gap filling and genome sequencing for small to medium sized genomes (<100 Mbp).

Many genome sequencing projects rely on Fosmid libraries to fill gaps between BAC contigs, clone regions on the extremities of chromosomes (telomeres and centromeres) and Whole Genome Sequencing assemblies. New methods of paired-end 2nd Generation sequencing can be employed on Fosmid's making them highly advantageous for any whole genome sequencing project.

The smaller insert sizes (~40 Kb), lack of enzyme cloning bias and stability of the Fosmid vector system is also highly useful in difficult projects such as metagenomic library construction (soil, sponges, bacterial mats and extremophiles). Often in these projects megabase sized DNA is impossible to extract (required for BAC based systems). In these situations a Fosmid library is a reliable choice.

Amplicon will provide frozen Fosmid clones arrayed on 96 or 384 well plates, ready to prep and sequence. If desired, AEX also offers, Fosmid end sequencing services (Sanger), Nylon Filter arrays for screening by DNA/DNA hybridization, Pools & Superpools for PCR based screening and/or Fosmid Library Screening Services (client provides ~1Kb from the region of interest).

When to choose a Fosmid Library:
  1. When High Molecular Genomic DNA cannot be made (soil samples, filtered environmental samples, extremophiles and marine species like sponge and algae). Note: HMW is required for BACs, but not needed for Fosmids.
  2. You have a BAC library and are missing areas of interest due to toxicity of BAC's in E. coli or regions that are telomeric/centromeric.
  3. You need ~40 Kb (+/- 3 Kb) inserts for a tight size range to minimize contig overlap and bridge gaps in the most cost effective manner.


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