Addgene is a non-profit plasmid repository. Addgene facilitates the exchange of genetic material between laboratories by offering plasmids and their associated cloning data to non-profit and academic laboratories around the world. Addgene provides a free online database of plasmid cloning information and references, including lists of commonly used vector backbones, popular lentiviral plasmids, and molecular cloning protocols.
History
Addgene was founded in 2004 by Melina Fan, Kenneth Fan, and Benjie Chen.
Operations
Addgene's headquarters are located in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Addgene accepts plasmids from researchers for distribution and archival.
The organization covers the operating costs of maintaining and improving the collection by charging a nominal fee to scientists requesting plasmids.
Plasmid repository
As of 2014 Addgene's repository comprised 30,000 plasmids, deposited by 1,700 labs. Its plasmid collection contains plasmids used for functions such as genome engineering (including CRISPRS), gene expression, shRNA knockdown, viral-mediated gene delivery, detection of miRNA and promoter activity. The plasmid collection includes:
Genome engineering
CRISPRs
Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease (TALEN) kits
Zinc finger nuclease kits
Empty backbones
Species-specific expression
Epitope tags
Fusion proteins
Selectable markers
Fluorescent marker
Viral vectors
Retroviral/Lentiviral
Adenoviral
AAV
cDNA expression
shRNA expression
Tools and guides
Molecular biology tools
Vector Database—A curated list of over 4,000 vector backbones, including relevant cloning information and bacterial growth conditions.
Sequence Analyzer—An Addgene software tool for creating plasmid maps from sequences with annotated features and restriction sites.
Molecular Biology Reference—A collection of references for molecular biology reagents, such as primers, restriction enzymes and antibiotic concentrations.
Plasmid Cloning Guides
Molecular Cloning Guides—References to help scientists design plasmid cloning experiments, including tutorials on restriction enzyme digestion and PCR-based cloning.
Molecular Cloning Protocols—Specific protocols for a variety of plasmid cloning techniques, such as isolation of bacterial colonies, DNA purification by gel electrophoresis and bacterial transformation.
Collaborations
Addgene collaborates with institutes and consortia to curate plasmid collections for specific purposes. Examples of these collaborations include special collections from the Structural Genomics Consortium, Zinc Finger Consortium, the Cell Migration Consortium, the KLF collection and The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The plasmids are available to both academic and industry labs.
In 2020, Addgene received funding from Fast Grants to subsidize the cost of reagents for COVID-19 research.
Depositors
Noteworthy depositors include: 12 Nobel Prize winners; John Gurdon, Shinya Yamanaka, Bruce Beutler, Mario Capecchi, Andrew Fire, Richard Axel, Eric Wieschaus, Phillip Sharp, Robert Lefkowitz, Martin Chalfie, Roger Tsien and Johann Deisenhofer. 8 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences winners; Cori Bargmann, David Botstein, Lewis C. Cantley, Hans Clevers, Titia de Lange, Bert Vogelstein, Robert Weinberg and Shinya Yamanaka.
Electronic Material Transfer Agreements
Addgene requires Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) for all materials transferred through Addgene to protect the intellectual property of plasmid depositors. Addgene developed one of the first electronic systems for handling MTAs. By using the standard Universal Biological Material Transfer Agreement (UBMTA) and implementing electronic signatures, Addgene's electronic MTA (eMTA) system expedites the approval process for plasmid orders.
Awards
Addgene won awards for innovation and research including Mass Nonprofit Network Award for excellence in Innovations, Cambridge award program 2014 Award for Research & Development Laboratories, Mass Technology Leadership Award Finalist 2012.