Mendelspod Podcast Twist Bioscience: A New Kind of DNA Synthesis Company
6 snips
Feb 10, 2022 
Emily Leproust, CEO of Twist Bioscience, dives into the DNA synthesis revolution shaping modern science. She discusses groundbreaking technologies that make DNA a viable medium for long-term data storage, potentially heralding a new era in efficiency. Emily shares how Twist adapted during the pandemic to develop innovative COVID-19 testing and antibody treatments. The conversation also covers synthetic biology's promise in improving health, sustainability, and tackling climate change, reflecting on the industry's rapid advancements and evolving public perceptions.
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DNA Synthesis Powers Innovation
- DNA synthesis is transforming multiple sectors from sustainable chemical production to data storage.
- Twist Bioscience enables these innovations by writing DNA efficiently and cost-effectively.
Enzymatic DNA Synthesis Advances
- Traditional chemical DNA synthesis outperforms current enzymatic methods in cost, error rate, and length.
- Twist developed a new enzymatic DNA synthesis approach to lower costs and optimize length and accuracy using advanced enzyme engineering.
DNA for Long-Term Data Storage
- Twist's new DNA data storage product, Century Archive, stores data for 100 years on DNA with one-time payment.
- Enzymatic synthesis is essential for future enterprise data storage chips for decentralized on-site DNA writing that avoids chemical hazards.