Protocol first describes the vector preparation and, then, describes the insert preparation. Vital to have an excellent vector in order to produce a sequencing library. Protocol employs the male-specific coliphage M13 as the sequencing vector. M13 is a filamentous phage with a single-stranded, circular genome. M13 is widely used as a vector because many versions are available commercially and because M13 has certain advantages. - [Read Construction of the Sequencing Library Protocol]
Bacteriophage M13 single-stranded DNA is prepared from virus particles secreted by infected cells into the surrounding medium. The filamentous particles are concentrated by precipitation from a high-ionic-strength buffer with polyethylene glycol. Subsequent extraction with phenol releases the single-stranded DNA, which is then collected by precipitation with ethanol. This protocol is generally used to prepare single-stranded DNA from a small number of M13 isolates. - [Read Preparation of Single-stranded Bacteriophage M13 DNA Protocol]
Protocol describes methods to superinfect bacteria carrying a recombinant phagemid with a high-titer stock of an appropriate helper virus and to assay the yield of filamentous virus particles that carry single-stranded copies of the phagemid DNA. The key to success in using phagemids is to prepare a stock of helper virus whose titer is accurately known. - [Read Producing Single-stranded DNA with Phagemid Vectors Protocol]
Unlike spherical phage, such as T4 and λ, which have roughly equal weight ratios of protein to DNA, filamentous phage have about six times more protein than DNA; the protein therefore contributes substantially to the absorption spectrum.