Complete clone collections for mammalian gene overexpression studies
Our mammalian cDNA and ORF clones deliver the reliable gene content you need for overexpression studies in human, mouse, rat, and bovine systems. Each coding sequence is expertly cloned into expression vectors under strong promoter control, ready for seamless delivery via plasmid transfection or lentiviral transduction. Save time with pre-cloned, expression-ready reagents designed to reduce cloning steps and support repeated use across multiple experiments.
cDNA are ideal for overexpressing a gene in the context of native regulation, while ORFs have both 5' and 3' UTRs removed, providing a shortcut to protein expression. Both clones are most commonly used for gene overexpression studies, RNAi rescue experiments, structural analysis, visualization of protein localization, biochemical purification, and identification of interacting proteins through co-immunoprecipitation. See our gene overexpression applications page to learn more.
Mammalian gene collection (MGC) cDNA clones
Precision LentiORF clones
Precision LentiORF positive controls
CCSB-Broad lentiviral ORF clones
CCSB human ORFeome v8.1
CCSB human ORFeome v5.1
Original ORFeome Collaboration (OC) clones
Pre-cloned reagents eliminate time spent cloning. Expression-ready and easy-to-transfer options allow you to focus on phenotypic results.
Human cDNA and ORF collections are sourced from trusted research groups with fully sequenced options.
Overexpression clones are a "reusable resource" supporting unlimited experiments.
MGC, Precision, and, ORFeome cDNA and ORF clones represent the collective efforts of genetic research for many years prior to modern RNAi and CRISPR technologies offering a historical and technically independent method to test results.
The goal of the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC), a trans-NIH initiative, is to provide researchers with unrestricted access to sequence-validated, full-length protein-coding (FL-CDS) cDNA clones for human, mouse, and rat genes. In 2005, the project added the bovine cDNAs generated by Genome Canada.
MGC clones initially were obtained by random EST-screening of cDNA libraries. Starting in 2004, MGC used transcript-specific RT-PCR cloning to isolate cDNAs for genes not yet represented in MGC. Between 2006 and 2009, DNA synthesis methods were employed to provide FL-CDS clones for human and mouse genes still absent from the collection.
All MGC sequences are deposited in GenBank and are available for purchase.
Highlights
With the conclusion of the MGC project in March 2009, GenBank records of MGC sequences were frozen and are no longer updated. As the definition of full-length coding regions for some genes and transcripts may change over time, users planning to order MGC clones should monitor for these updates. Genome browsers and gene-specific databases - including the UCSC Genome Browser, NCBI's Map Viewer, and Entrez Gene - can be used to view relevant genomic regions and gene-related information.
Precision LentiORFs are human cDNA open reading frames (ORFs) cloned into a lentiviral expression vector, used for overexpressing human genes and proteins in mammalian cells.
Ideal for use in primary or difficult to transfect cells, Precision LentiORFs can be used to create stably expressing cell lines, investigate overexpression phenotypes, or perform RNAi rescue experiments.
Highlights
The CCSB–Broad Lentiviral Expression Library is a genome-scale expression collection developed by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Broad Institute to provide a sequence confirmed collection of over 15,000 human ORFs in an expression-ready lentiviral system. This library was derived from the hORFeome V8.1 and created to enable targeted experiments and large-scale screening in diverse cell types.
Highlights
The human ORFeome v8.1 Collection represents the most recent version of the Human CCSB ORFeome. hORFeome v8.1 Collection has undergone more extensive QC than previous versions, having had clonal isolates verified by next-gen sequencing.
Derived from fully sequenced Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) cDNAs and cloned into a Gateway recombinational entry vector, this human ORF collection is ideal for easily moving thousands of open reading frames into your choice of protein expression systems. For maximum flexibility, the ORF stop codon has been removed.
This collection was developed by the Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB) of the Dana-Farber Institute.
Highlights
Derived from fully sequenced Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) cDNAs and cloned into a Gateway recombinational entry vector, the human ORF collection can help you easily moving thousands of open reading frames into your choice of protein expression systems. For maximum flexibility, the ORF stop codon has been removed.
This collection contains over 15,000 individual clones representing more than 12,000 unique genes. These clones are derived from fully sequenced Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) full-length cDNAs. Each coding sequence (CDS) was amplified for only 25 cycles with gene-specific primers and high-fidelity polymerase, minimizing the risk of PCR-induced mutations.
This collection was developed by the Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB) of the Dana-Farber Institute.
Highlights
The ORFeome Collaboration (OC) is a group of academic and commercial laboratories that was formed to develop an unrestricted source of sequence-validated human open reading frame (ORF) clones. This collaboration of commercial and academic researchers has created a collection of fully-sequenced ORFs that will represent all curated genes in the human genome. These clones are verified to have a full-length ORF and are easily transferable into any Gateway-adapted expression vector. Additional clones for this expanding collection are offered as they become available.
Using the Mammalian Gene Collection (MGC) cDNA clones as starting material, the OC has been able to create over 10,000 full-length human ORF clones, making significant progress toward the goal of providing at least one ORF for each of the ~18,500 defined human genes.
Highlights
Please note that we are unable to provide additional information beyond what is listed on each collection pages. The original source projects (e.g., MGC, ORFeome, IMAGE Consortium, DKFZ, Kazusa) no longer maintain active databases, and these legacy biological collections have limited validation. As a result, they are offered "as is" without guarantee.
The Dharmacon Reagents portfolio is a licensed distributor of multiple gene expression clone collections (cDNAs and ORFs). These clone collections were generated by third party groups and thus the quality of the collections is largely dependent upon what was received from these groups. Specific clone information and plate coordinates were provided by the suppliers of these clone collections. These products have not been independently sequence verified.
These collections and individual clones are distributed "as is" with no additional product validation or guarantees. The Dharmacon Reagents team has established quality procedures to ensure that individual clones are picked from the identified well in a plate, grown on the correct antibiotic, and are free of phage contamination. Due to the quality of the information provided the clone you receive might not match the expected clone. If this occurs, please contact Scientific Support.
All clones and plates are provided as glycerol stocks. Individual strains are shipped at room temperature. Plates are shipped on dry ice. Both should be stored at -80ºC.
