Our Stellar Competent Cells can be used in a wide variety of applications—from preparation of cDNA and genomic libraries to construction of longer-length genomic libraries, subcloning, and even methylated DNA cloning. This E. coli HST08 strain provides high transformation efficiency and since these cells lack the gene cluster for cutting foreign methylated DNA (mrr-hsdRMS-mcrBC and mcrA), they are very useful for cloning methylated DNA. The cells can also be used for blue/white screening (i.e., alpha-complementation) when transformed with vectors containing the lacZ alpha gene.