The ligation calculator works out insert mass from insert length, insert / vector ratio, vector length and vector mass. Enter what you have and the relationship is applied straight away, so you get the answer without working through the algebra yourself.
What Is the Ligation Calculator?
The ligation calculator works out insert mass from insert length, insert / vector ratio, vector length and vector mass.
Biological relationships are usually approximations rather than exact laws, so the output is best treated as an estimate with a sensible range around it.
How the Ligation Calculation Works
The calculation applies the relationship as published, step by step, so each intermediate value can be checked against the underlying theory.
Keep the units consistent throughout. Mixing a percentage with a proportion is the single most common source of an answer that is out by a factor of a hundred.
Assumptions Worth Knowing
Any relationship used here assumes a constant rate, a representative sample, or a stable population. Real populations rarely meet those conditions for long, so treat the answer as a guide.
Where the inputs are field measurements, a single misread value can shift the result noticeably. Measure carefully and record what you used.
A Worked Example
Working through an example, with insert length set to 10, insert / vector ratio set to 1, vector length set to 5, the calculator returns insert mass of 4. Substitute your own figures and the same steps produce the same kind of answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to work out insert mass?
Enter insert length, insert / vector ratio, vector length and vector mass. The calculator then works through the relationship and reports insert mass.
What does the ligation actually calculate?
It takes insert length, insert / vector ratio, vector length and vector mass and converts them into insert mass using the standard relationship for this problem. Each step is applied in turn, so every output is traceable back to the numbers you typed in.
How should I enter insert length?
Use the value you actually have, in the unit shown next to the field. Enter every value in the same unit system. The calculator assumes the figures you supply are consistent, so it cannot correct a mistake that happens before the calculation starts.
Can I use this for a quick estimate as well as a precise answer?
Yes. The calculator is built for quick checks, so round your inputs to a sensible number of significant figures and the result will be just as useful. If you need more precision, keep the same method and add digits to the inputs rather than adjusting the method itself.
Is the answer exact?
It is as exact as the formula and the inputs allow. The method itself is the standard one for this problem, so the only sources of error are the figures you enter and the precision you ask for.