Episode 24: The Future of Synthetic Biology with Twist Bioscience

With the introduction of big data, machine learning and AI, it's easy to get excited about what technology is allowing us to create. But what gets overlooked is the sheer amount of data that will be created in the process. And while data storage may not sound like a sexy topic, it's one that becomes infinitely more attractive when you learn what it'll look like in the near future. The concept of storing data on DNA may sound confusing, but after understanding how it operates, it's fairly simple and the possibilities are endless. This week, we sat down with CEO of Twist Bioscience, Emily Leproust. Twist Bioscience not only spearheads work in DNA data storage, but the writing and selling of synthetic DNA as a whole. With an innovative and sustainable process to write and sell synthetic DNA, Twist Bioscience provides the foundation for companies to change their industries. Join us as Emily breaks down their new process for writing and selling synthetic DNA and the impact it has on the medical and entertainment industries, how it's helping catch potential virus outbreaks, and what data storage will look like in the near future.

HOSTED BY

Clara Mouawad

Clara is the Content Specialist at BCC Research, where she spends her time writing blogs and white papers, designing graphics and thinking up ways BCC can take over the world...like with a podcast.

A world traveler (less so during COVID19, of course), marketing whiz and always thirsty for knowledge, Clara finds innovators in a variety of fields and asks the question that our listeners want to know: How will this industry, technology or company shape how we live and work in the future?

Episode Timeline

  • [00:30]Introducing synthetic biology and Twist Bioscience
  • [01:46]Emily's story and co-founding Twist Bioscience
  • [03:15]Diving into the industry and the capabilities of synthetic DNA
  • [06:21]Twist's role in the larger ecosystem of DNA storage and their customers
  • [08:51]On the benefits of Twist Bio's silicon wafers
  • [12:01]Twist Bio's semiconductor based synthetic DNA looking at the manufacturing process and efficiency of silicon
  • [14:26]The impact/influence of the pandemic
  • [19:02]The work being done with Twist's comprehensive viral research panel in detecting and surveying novel pathogens
  • [22:27]Twist's sustainability efforts
  • [25:58]The future of writing synthetic DNA and DNA data storage in 10-15 years