What plasmid design parameters should I consider when using the myTXTL system?

As the myTXTL platform relies on the endogenous transcription and translation machinery of E. coli, a functional gene cassette must contain a promoter that can be transcribed by E. coli RNA polymerase and associated transcription factors (primarily Sigma 70) or by a T7/T3 RNA polymerase if those polymerases are expressed from a helper plasmid (available in our Toolkit). The ribosomal binding site should also be compatible with E. coli translation machinery. For more general advice on how to construct a functional gene cassette, please refer to the current myTXTL handbook.