A variety of simple and ultra-low-cost methods preparing SLiCE extracts and their application to DNA cloning

Cell lysates from a laboratory strain of Escherichia coli can be exploited for seamless DNA cloning in vitro, which is named the seamless ligation cloning extract (SLiCE) cloning method. The SLiCE method can incorporate DNA fragments into a vector to achieve conventional DNA cloning and is more cost-effective than commercially seamless DNA cloning kits. In this study, we found that the SLiCE extracts could easily be prepared with different methods, such as 3% Triton X-100 lysis buffer, 3% SDS lysis buffer, or freeze–thaw cycles. At high E. coli transformation efficiency, the SLiCE extracts prepared using different simple and ultra-low cost methods did not affect the DNA cloning efficiency. These results further revealed that the SLiCE cloning method can be efficiently used for seamless DNA cloning in vitro. •SLiCE extracts can be prepared by different simple and ultra-low cost methods.•All SLiCE extracts prepared by different methods exhibited sufficient DNA cloning activity.•Transformation efficiency of E. coli affected the cloning efficiency of the SLiCE extracts.