Base Pair Bulletin, Top News from June 2024

We've rounded up the top news that happened this month from NGS and Synthetic Biology to Biopharma and DNA Data Storage. Read on for all the details and please subscribe and share with your network.

Biopharma

New publication from Twist Biopharma Solutions in PLOS detailing the discovery of TB206-001, a first-in-class antibody targeting adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), a promising molecular target that could enhance cancer immunotherapy!  The discovery is described in a paper entitled: “Discovery of a potent, selective, and tumor-suppressing antibody antagonist of adenosine A2A receptor.”

DNA Data Storage

This excellent video from the Biotechnology Innovation Organization explains DNA Data Storage in easy to understand terms with great visuals! Want to dive deeper? Listen to the podcast episode featuring our very own Emily Leproust entitled: Data Storage Crisis: DNA to the Rescue.

NGS

With #H5N1 a top concern, this important preprint from Mike Tisza and team at Baylor College of Medicine offers a path to viral monitoring using Twist's Comprehensive Viral Research Panel.

Read the paper "Virome Sequencing Identifies H5N1 Avian Influenza in Wastewater from Nine Cities," or find more information about the panel here.

Biosecurity

Synthetic DNA allows researchers to develop life changing therapeutics, eco-friendly alternatives, and expand basic research knowledge. Safeguarding the production & distribution of synthetic nucleic acids is imperative. Our head of biosecurity, James Diggans is working to strengthen these safeguards across the industry. Read his recent publication: Progress and Prospects for a Nucleic Acid Screening Test Set.

Synthetic Biology

Poor end-of-life plastic waste management and recycling solutions can mean that the overwhelming majority of post-consumer plastic accumulates as pollution, imposing untold environmental damage. Hear from Dr. Matthew Spence how his group at Samsara Eco uses Twist Synthetic DNA to develop a novel enzyme design platform for PET hydrolases that can rapidly degrade PET plastic under harsh industrial conditions. Find the webinar here.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies collaborates with Twist Bioscience to launch Pharmacogenomics Beta Programme and advance personalised medicine.

Twist Bioscience Announces Participation in Department of Commerce Consortium Dedicated to AI Safety.

Twist Bioscience Publishes Preclinical Data Detailing Discovery of Antibody Targeting Emerging Checkpoint Inhibitor

June 14: 6th Dutch Cell Free DNA Symposium. Utrecht, Netherlands 🇳🇱

June 17-21: EMBO Workshop, Chromatin dynamics and nuclear organization in genome maintenance. Leiden, Netherlands 🇳🇱

June 20-21: AIS - Antibody Industrial Symposium 2024. Montpellier, France 🇫🇷

June 24-27: Synthetic Biology: Engineering, Evolution & Design (SEED), 2024. Emily Leproust keynote. Atlanta, Georgia 🇺🇸