UCL BioFoundry Advanced Synthetic Biology Processes Facility

Operated within Charles Bell House research laboratories, the facility offers nucleic acid synthesis and molecular cloning services to UCL scientists.

Introducing the UCL BioFoundry, a state-of-the-art resource for advanced synthetic biology processes at UCL. UCL staff can now utilise the facility by submitting an order request form. 

Operated within Charles Bell House research laboratories, the facility offers nucleic acid synthesis and molecular cloning services to UCL scientists. Our primary goal is to bring these typically outsourced technologies in-house, providing researchers with convenient access to cutting-edge capabilities.

Powering our operations is the newly installed BioXp platform, an automated system that enables efficient DNA, mRNA, and peptide synthesis. This technology offers the below services as standard:

• De novo synthesis of DNA fragments up to 3 kb.
• De novo synthesis of DNA fragments up to 7 kb with direct cloning into plasmid.
• De novo mRNA synthesis up to 1.8 kb (clean-cap, unmodified, or pseudouridine).
• In vitro DNA plasmid amplification.
• In vitro mRNA synthesis up to 10 kb from starter plasmids.

The facility's potential applications in research and teaching are diverse. There are further advanced processes that can be offered on a case-by-case basis. Please enquire to about these to discuss your project with a specialist:

• Cas9 guide RNA cloning.
• Custom TALEN synthesis and cloning.
• De novo assembly of large (up to 24kb) transgenes.
• Synthesis of scanning libraries up to 3 kb.
• Assembly of promoter libraries for preclinical testing.

Watch the video: an introduction about the new UCL facility for nucleic acid synthesis (UCL log-in required)

For enquiries, please contact Dr John Counsell (j.counsell@ucl.ac.uk)

Submit an order request form