Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) became the first to implement Battelle’s ThreatSEQ web service DNA screening platform to detect and characterize sequences of concern in genomic data, supplementing its internal biosecurity efforts, TWST announced on Tuesday.
“We have spent decades working with and characterizing biothreats to support global biodefense efforts, which has resulted in the curation of a high-quality sequence of concern database and the development of a robust algorithm for screening DNA at production scale rapidly,†said Matt Vaughan, president of Battelle’s contract research business.Â
“Twist Bioscience continues its leadership in the field of biosecurity as the first to integrate the ThreatSEQ web service into its gene-length DNA screening pipeline. We look forward to expanding this service to all companies who desire standardized and sustainable screening capabilities.â€Â
ThreatSEQ web service is a commercial DNA screening solution that is highly accurate and cost effective. The service provides an advanced biocuration pipeline reducing synthesis providers’ maintenance and labor costs while maintaining effective biosecurity.
The platform streamlines the review process through an industry-oriented user interface to review screening results, which displays high-quality metadata and a graphical representation of genomic context.
“Battelle created the ThreatSEQ web service with significant input from industry leaders and the scientific community worldwide as well as global databases,†said Emily Leproust, co-founder and CEO of Twist Bioscience.
“Its algorithm allows for continuous updates as new sequences of concern are discovered – a feature existing databases often struggle to accomplish,†Leproust said. “We welcome the opportunity to evolve our biosecurity program to continue to maintain the most comprehensive screening effort, allowing us to screen DNA even faster, and importantly, ensure our customers are using our synthetic DNA for responsible research.â€
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries.
About Twist Bioscience Corporation
Twist Bioscience is a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology company that has developed a disruptive DNA synthesis platform to industrialize the engineering of biology. The core of the platform is a proprietary technology that pioneers a new method of manufacturing synthetic DNA by “writing†DNA on a silicon chip. Twist is leveraging its unique technology to manufacture a broad range of synthetic DNA-based products, including synthetic genes, tools for next-generation sequencing (NGS) preparation, and antibody libraries for drug discovery and development. Twist is also pursuing longer-term opportunities in digital data storage in DNA and biologics drug discovery. Twist makes products for use across many industries including healthcare, industrial chemicals, agriculture and academic research.
