This invention provides methods of obtaining novel polynucleotides and encoded polypeptides by use of non-stochastic methods of directed evolution (DirectEvolution ). These methods include non-stochastic polynucleotide site-saturation mutagenesis (Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis ) and non-stochastic polynucleotide reassembly (GeneReassembly ). Through use of the claimed methods, genetic vaccines, enzymes, and other desirable molecules can be evolved towards desirable properties. For example, vaccine vectors can be obtained that exhibit increased efficacy for use as genetic vaccines. Vectors obtained by using the methods can have, for example, enhanced antigen expression, increased uptake into a cell, increased stability in a cell, ability to tailor an immune response, and the like. This invention provides methods of obtaining novel enzymes that have optimized physical and/or biological properties. Furthermore, this invention provides methods of obtaining a variety of novel biologically active molecules, in the fields of antibiotics, pharmacotherapeutics, and transgenic traits.