No training required: experimental tests support homology-based DNA assembly as a best practice in synthetic biology.

ABSTRACT

The Registry of Standard Biological Parts imposes sequence constraints to enable DNA assembly using restriction enzymes. Alnahhas et al. (Journal of Biological Engineering 2014, 828) recently argued that these constraints should be revised because they impose an unnecessary burden on contributors that use homology-based assembly. To add to this debate, we tested four different homology-based methods, and found that students using these methods on their first attempt have a high probability of success. Because of their ease of use and high success rates, we believe that homology-based assembly is a best practice of Synthetic Biology, and recommend that the Registry implement the changes proposed by Alnahhas et al. to better support their use.