Researchers engaging in protein engineering and directed evolution experiments screen variant libraries to identify proteins with desirable features. To build these libraries, scientists commonly introduce random DNA mutations by error-prone PCR (epPCR), but this technique suffers from amplification bias, incomplete variant representation, and premature stop codons. Site Saturation Variant Libraries (SSVLs) are synthetic, designed alternatives to libraries generated by random epPCR. Because each mutant is directly synthesized, SSVLs offer near-complete variant representation, providing researchers with a full collection of possible proteins.
Download this application note from Twist Bioscience to see how an SSVL outperforms a random epPCR library in a protein engineering experiment.