High-Throughput Vector Construction
Plasmids are circular DNA molecules that are widely used in research and clinical production. The accuracy of plasmid sequences is paramount, yet sequence verification of plasmids has remained challenging. We have developed the first de novo plasmid assembly pipeline that leverages both Illumina short-read sequencing and Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing to generate the highest accuracy plasmid assemblies. This pipeline is accessible through an easy-to-use web application that brings users from raw data to complete assembly in minutes. We integrate our pipeline with automated experimentation and laboratory information management system (LIMS) to accelerate vector construction.
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Certification of Engineered DNA Molecules
We have developed the GenoFAB standard identification number (GSIN) technology, a new system that creates a secure and reliable connection between physical DNA molecules and their digital documentation (e.g., gene annotations). Akin to the VIN system used by the automotive industry, the GSIN allows specific instances of a plasmid to be tied to unique documentation. Secure cryptographic approaches enable the rapid and accurate retrieval of identifying information embedded in DNA sequences. The GSIN allows scientists to share, verify, and build on each other’s designs, reducing errors caused by mislabeling or incomplete documentation, ultimately accelerating the development of advanced therapeutics like antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapies.
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Engineering Vesicular Stomatitis Virus
Our newly developed models of VSV replication and transcription facilitate an iterative Design-Build-Test-Learn (DBTL) cycle for experimentally validating VSV variants, including gene-shuffled variants and VSV variants engineered with customized properties for applications like oncolytic virus therapies and vaccines.
