Cloning strains, also referred to as host cells, are genetically engineered bacterial systems—most commonly Escherichia coli—employed in molecular biology for the high-fidelity replication and maintenance of recombinant DNA. These strains are indispensable tools in DNA cloning and gene synthesis.
Engineered for superior transformation efficiency and plasmid stability, cloning strains are typically deficient in endogenous restriction-modification systems that would otherwise degrade exogenous DNA. This genetic modification facilitates robust uptake and stable propagation of plasmid constructs.
Prominent E. coli strains such as GB5-α™ and GB10B™ are optimized for rapid proliferation, elevated plasmid yield, and compatibility with blue-white screening methodologies, supporting streamlined and reproducible cloning workflows.
Widely utilized in genetic engineering and synthetic biology applications, cloning strains constitute a foundational component of contemporary biotechnology, offering reliable performance in a variety of DNA manipulation and recombinant expression platforms.