At Synthetic Genomics, we think of a genome as life’s operating system. Our cells contain the hardware to “boot up” the genome. We can reprogram cells to add and improve their function, using data as our blueprint.
We have sequenced and annotated thousands of genomes from different organisms around the globe. Our advanced genomics and cell-engineering approach—combined with a trove of genome design and synthetic biology tools—creates the SGI inside.
In everything from viruses to living cells, the characteristics and functions of all biological entities are written into DNA’s code. Our proprietary tools and capabilities enable us to engineer cells, enabling our breakthrough technologies.
Synthetic Genomics has applied its world-class genome engineering and synthetic biology tools to identify and optimize organisms for bioproduction, creating more powerful and effective cell factories. We have established a deep understanding of microalgae, a versatile and incredibly productive organism, to develop and incubate cutting edge technologies. These technologies can be used in all cell types and have been launched to their next stage of development and implementation.
Sustainable algal nutritional proteins and oils
The world needs alternative and more sustainable vegetarian food protein sources. SGI discovered and classically improved algae strains that ferment sugars into high quality nutritional proteins and oils. A recently launched start-up company is developing food proteins and oils from non‐engineered algal strains developed by Synthetic Genomics.
Cmax™: A novel microbial therapeutics platform
Protein-based therapeutics (biologics) generate over $100 billion per year in sales and are primarily manufactured from fermentation using mammalian cells which are presenting cost, quality and efficacy challenges.
Cmax, a proprietary microbial host developed by Synthetic Genomics, has the potential to simplify and transform the production of complex protein therapeutics. Synthetic Genomics IP is used by Conagen to deploy the platform commercially.
Self-replicating RNA medicines: Innovative vaccines and therapeutics
Synthetic Genomics developed a proprietary RNA replicon platform to selectively stimulate the immune system and deliver targeted therapies produced within a person’s own body. The RNA platform overcomes common shortcomings of traditional replicon and messenger RNA (mRNA) technologies, enabling a new class of vaccines and combination therapies to combat cancer and infectious diseases. The platform has been successfully partnered with leading human and animal health companies.
Targeted bacteriophage platform: Combating antibacterial resistance
Phage therapy has the potential to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Engineered phage can solve inherent limitations of natural phage, such as narrow host-range and resistance development. Synthetic Genomics has developed a proprietary bacteriophage engineering platform to address the inherent limitations of natural phage as a therapeutic. Armata Pharmaceuticals is deploying the Synthetic Genomics IP to generate clinical candidates and bacteriophage therapies.
Engineered pig cells: Growing organs for transplantation
In partnership with United Therapeutics, Synthetic Genomics developed the capabilities to engineer pig cells with the goal to generate humanized pig organs for transplantation. Based on the IP developed by Synthetic Genomics and its pre-clinical progress, United Therapeutics assumed full control of the program with the goal to generate xenotransplants for the million people in the US alone who have end-stage organ disease.
BioXp™ 3200 System: The world’s first automated DNA “printer”
Synthetic Genomics developed an automated manufacturing process that significantly reduces the time it takes to create DNA constructs for therapeutic research and development programs, clearing the path for a wide range of research application. What once was time consuming and required ordering from a supplier, the manufacturing of DNA, genes, and DNA libraries, can now be accomplished on a benchtop.
At the core of this process is the BioXp, the world’s first benchtop DNA printer, an automated instrument that enables biotechnology, pharmaceutical, academic or government laboratories to create DNA from electronically transmitted sequence data. The BioXp is a key product for SGI-DNA, a spinout of SGI.