BioTechniques News
Tristan Free
In this edition of the biotech bi-weekly, we highlight new technology for investigating patterns in large multiomic datasets, automating nanoparticle formation for drug discovery and a repository of quality-controlled plasmids. Plus, partnerships are facilitating optimized RNA-seq library prep, a new life science hub for accessing equipment and expertise, and the launch of alginate hydrogel encapsulation into space.
Products
Investigating patterns across large genomic, multiomic and phenotypic datasets
Illumina (CA, USA) has introduced three early access capabilities on its BioInsight Platform that help researchers move faster from sequencing data to discovery. BioInsight Platform Workflow Orchestrator enables laboratories to operate consistent, traceable sequencing and informatics operations at scale. DRAGEN Ultra extends genomic analysis beyond variant calling, using Illumina AI models and knowledge resources to prioritize candidate variants and sort large numbers of research samples. BioInsight Platform Learning Cohorts, paired with the previously announced BioInsight Data, helps researchers investigate patterns across large genomic, multiomic and phenotypic datasets, placing individual findings in their more informative biological and population context.
Automating nanoparticle formulation for drug discovery
MEPSGEN (Seoul, South Korea), a global innovator in drug delivery system platforms, has announced the launch of NanoCalibur® Mini, an automated system for small-volume nanoparticle formulation designed for early-stage drug discovery and development.
Ordering NGS-sequence-verified DNA for direct mammalian cell transfection
Addgene (MA, USA), a nonprofit repository for plasmids, viral vectors and recombinant antibodies, has announced the launch of its Transfection-Ready DNA service, enabling researchers to order NGS-sequence-verified DNA from Addgene’s repository of quality-controlled plasmids. Delivered ready to add directly into mammalian cell transfection mixes upon arrival, Transfection-Ready DNA eliminates the need for bacterial cultivation or in-house miniprep.
DNA and mRNA transfection in the modern lab
In this In Focus, we give a whistle-stop tour of the different transfection methods before descending into the details of DNA vs mRNA-based transfection, providing key tips for the selection of your transfection method and materials.
Partnerships
Optimizing RNA-seq library prep workflows
Takara Bio USA (CA, USA) and SPT Labtech (Hertfordshire, UK) have announced their partnership to deliver validated, automated library preparation workflows that combine Takara Bio NGS library preparation chemistries with SPT Labtech’s firefly liquid handling platform. This collaboration will start by optimizing select SMART-Seq® RNA-seq library prep workflows on the firefly instrument, with the plan to expand to a growing menu of new RNA-seq, DNA-seq and immune profiling kits.
Accessing lab equipment, expertise and community
Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany) and BioLabs (MA, USA) have announced the expansion of their collaboration to BioLabs’ new Munich site, BioLabs | TUM, extending a relationship that already includes BioLabs locations in the USA, France and Germany. The partnership will provide biotech and life-science entrepreneurs with access to laboratory equipment, technical expertise and a connected innovation community.
Validating alginate hydrogel encapsulation in space
Atelerix (Newcastle, UK), a cell preservation and biological transport company, has announced a partnership with Frontier Space (Nottingham, UK), a space biotechnology company building platform technology for in-orbit R&D and biomanufacturing. Under the two-year memorandum of understanding, the companies will validate Atelerix’s alginate hydrogel encapsulation technology for preserving biological samples during microgravity research missions, improving sample quality and reducing payload mass and associated costs.
Advancing lab-in-the loop drug discovery
Carterra® (UT, USA), a provider of high-throughput surface plasmon resonance platforms for antibody and small molecule drug discovery, has announced a research collaboration with AstraZeneca (Cambridge, UK) to develop hardware and software aimed at advancing lab-in-the loop drug discovery. The effort brings together scientific and technical expertise to connect laboratory systems, software and data infrastructure with AI-driven discovery workflows.
How microgravity derails microbial biosynthesis aboard the ISS
How do bacteria fare in space? A new study examines the impact of microgravity on melanin biosynthesis in Escherichia coli aboard the International Space Station.
People & publications
Appointing a new CBDO
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (UK), the company delivering a new generation of nanopore-based molecular sensing, has announced the appointment of Sebastian Kronmueller as Chief Business Development Officer, effective 4 January 2027. Sebastian will lead Oxford Nanopore’s strategy and business development functions, including the development and implementation of key strategic initiatives and partnerships.
Introducing ‘Function-preserving watermarking of AI-generated proteins’
Carterra® has highlighted the role of its LSA-XT platform in new research from Google DeepMind (London, UK) published in Nature. The paper, ‘Function-preserving watermarking of AI-generated proteins’, introduces SynthIDBio – a family of methods for embedding provenance signatures in AI-designed protein sequences and AI-predicted structures. Google DeepMind scientists collaborated with Adaptyv Bio (Lausanne, Switzerland), which used Carterra HT-SPR technology to measure whether the watermarked proteins still bind their targets as well as unmarked designs.
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