Genomics Thread #7
Let's talk about synthetic DNA...
Let's talk about synthetic DNA...
1/ The leader here is Twist Biosciences (TWST).
Through cutting-edge science and manufacturing, they are able to produce synthetic DNA via a silicon chip.
How is this possible?
Through cutting-edge science and manufacturing, they are able to produce synthetic DNA via a silicon chip.
How is this possible?
2/ It seems like science-fiction but the company can "write" DNA instead of just reading it like a normal sequencing process.
It's called phosphoramidite chemistry.
You can read more about the details here: twistbioscience.com/blog/science/s…
It's called phosphoramidite chemistry.
You can read more about the details here: twistbioscience.com/blog/science/s…
3/ Twist didn't create this process but they have definitely improved upon it.
Their process design allows them to make nearly 10,000 genes whereas competitors can't produce at nearly the scale.
Their process design allows them to make nearly 10,000 genes whereas competitors can't produce at nearly the scale.
4/ The typical synthetic DNA process uses "wells" where oligos (oligonucelotides, 13-25 base pairs of DNA) sit to be cloned.
Twist uses a silicon chip that enables them to add 10,000x the capacity veruses of using "wells."
I'm sure this explanation is overly simplistic but...
Twist uses a silicon chip that enables them to add 10,000x the capacity veruses of using "wells."
I'm sure this explanation is overly simplistic but...
5/ Twist has seen success. Its revenue has grown 9x in the past 3 years (from $10 million to $90 million).
Researchers all over the place testify that Twist's synthetic genes are available at the lowest prices in the industry.
And they even have a cool e-commerce checkout!
Researchers all over the place testify that Twist's synthetic genes are available at the lowest prices in the industry.
And they even have a cool e-commerce checkout!
6/ But why is synthetic DNA even important?
It allows for very controlled experiments that further research and biological products.
For instance, Twist's biggest customer, Gingko Bioworks, used clonal genes to create fake meat that bleeds.
ginkgobioworks.com/2019/02/26/int…
It allows for very controlled experiments that further research and biological products.
For instance, Twist's biggest customer, Gingko Bioworks, used clonal genes to create fake meat that bleeds.
ginkgobioworks.com/2019/02/26/int…
7/ There is a lot of optionality here.
Biopharma companies use synthetic genes to test gene expression and the effects their drugs have on certain patient populations.
Synthetic genes are also important for CRISPR research because many RNA guides need to be created for testing.
Biopharma companies use synthetic genes to test gene expression and the effects their drugs have on certain patient populations.
Synthetic genes are also important for CRISPR research because many RNA guides need to be created for testing.
8/ Twist is essentially a vertically integrated DNA factory.
You can think of it like a picks-and-shovel play on the genomic revolution. It also companies to do more experiments to accelerate biological product development.
You can think of it like a picks-and-shovel play on the genomic revolution. It also companies to do more experiments to accelerate biological product development.
9/ One other thing that seems like science fiction is Twist's DNA storage vision.
They even encoded a Netflix original in DNA code (A,T,C,G). I don't understand it but it's impressive.
synbiobeta.com/twist-bioscien…
They even encoded a Netflix original in DNA code (A,T,C,G). I don't understand it but it's impressive.
synbiobeta.com/twist-bioscien…
End/ Speaking of CRISPR just a few tweets ago, that's where we'll be digging into next...
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