When performing high-throughput cloning, having the right competent cells in the right format helps optimize your workflow. Invitrogen MultiShot formats of chemically competent cells are designed for compatibility with multichannel pipettes and automated liquid handling robots to streamline the bacterial transformation process.
MultiShot chemically competent cells are available in three packaging formats: StripWell, FlexPlate, and standard 96-well PCR plates. These formats offer flexibility in the number of transformations that can be performed at once while maintaining the same cloning workflow.
Invitrogen MultiShot high-throughput chemically competent E. coli
Watch the video to see how the StripWell and FlexPlate formats are used in the lab for different workflows.
Compare competent cell formats for high-throughput cloning
Choose a format based on your need for flexibility and throughput.
 StripWell format |  FlexPlate format |  96-well plates | |
| Format description | 12 capped 8-tube strips in lidded storage rack | Foil-sealed 96-well break-away PCR plate that can be separated into 12 8-well segments | 5 foil-sealed 96-well plates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Flexible number of transformation reactions from 1 to 96 | High throughput cloning with ability to use part of the plate (multiples of 8) in a PCR plate format | Full-plate high throughput and automated cloning workflows |
| Volume of competent cells per tube/well | 50 μL/tube | 20 μL/well | 15 μL/well |
Heat-sealed plates for competent cell storage
Be confident in your competent cell supply. FlexPlate-formatted competent cells are heat-sealed using a foil seal that does not delaminate even at very low temperatures and is easy to remove. Competent cells can also be accessed by piercing the foil using a needle or pipette tip.
E. coli strains available as MultiShot competent cells
All Invitrogen MultiShot competent cells are conveniently supplied as a kit including SOC medium and control plasmid.
| E. coli strain | StripWell format | FlexPlate format | 96-well plate format |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOP10 | C409601 | C4081201 | C40005 |
| DH5α T1R | C449601 | C4481201 | – |
| DH10B T1R | – | C6481201 | – |
| Mach1 T1R | C869601 | C8681201 | – |
| OmniMAX 2 T1R | – | C8581201 | – |
| Stbl3 | C739601 | C7381201 | – |
| BL21 Star (DE3) | C609601 | – | – |
| See all products in this format | StripWell competent cells | FlexPlate competent cells | – |
Competent cells: Featured products
In addition to competent cells, we offer a broad suite of products for the cloning workflow.
Microbial
media
Explore types of bacterial growth media to use for cloning, plasmid DNA preparation, and protein expression.
Electroporation
cuvettes
Learn more about universal-fit electroporation cuvettes for use with competent cells.
TOPO PCR
cloning kits
Learn more about one-step PCR cloning that combines traditional restriction and ligation cloning.
Gibson Assembly
cloning kits
Gibson Assembly cloning kits provide highly efficient, seamless cloning, enabling the assembly of multiple DNA fragments of varying lengths into any vector.
Resources
Have any questions on competent cells or transformation? Click on the resources listed below to access overviews, videos, genotype guides, and educational resources.
Review rich educational content on transformation workflow, troubleshooting, strategies, and selection guides.
Stay up-to-date on industry trends in molecular cloning with on-demand webinars.
Short articles and digital handbook for cloning applications
Access white papers and technical and application notes on molecular cloning.
Watch instructional videos on troubleshooting tips, how-to videos, and explainers related to molecular cloning.
Get support for your cloning experiments
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
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