1. What is In Silico Ligation?

In silico ligation is a computational method to predict the product of combining a vector and insert DNA sequence before performing actual laboratory ligation. It helps in planning cloning experiments and verifying expected results.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator performs a simple concatenation of the vector and insert sequences:

Where:

• \( vector \) — The plasmid or vector DNA sequence
• \( insert \) — The DNA fragment to be inserted

Note: This is a basic simulation. Actual ligation may involve additional considerations like sticky ends, restriction sites, and orientation.

3. Importance of In Silico Ligation

Details: Predicting ligation products helps verify cloning strategies, check reading frames, and identify potential issues before performing wet lab experiments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vector and insert sequences in FASTA format or plain text. The calculator will concatenate them directly.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this calculator handle sticky ends?
A: This basic version doesn't account for sticky ends. For more advanced simulations, consider specialized software.

Q2: Can I check for restriction sites?
A: This calculator only performs simple concatenation. Use restriction mapping tools for site analysis.

Q3: What about circularization of plasmids?
A: This shows the linear product. Circularization would require additional processing.

Q4: Does it validate sequence input?
A: It converts input to uppercase but doesn't validate for non-DNA characters.

Q5: Can I save my results?
A: Copy the output to save it. The calculator doesn't store results.