How many times have you thought of DNA sequences in everyday products such as medicines, detergents, and other consumables? What about biofuels and fertilizers? If the answer is “not a lot,” you're probably not alone.
Creating good DNA sequences is not easy; the work often consists of much trial-and-error that involves expensive engineering activities with manual laboratory work that can last for months. But these hours might soon come to an end. The startup Tailwind Biotech, currently residing in our Incubator, is bringing new technology that can save many resources for biotech companies on a global scale.
AI-powered DNA designs
The startup has developed proprietary AI technology that's able to design smart synthetic DNA sequences. The tech is based on years of research and is aimed at making biotech companies more efficient and maximizing bioproduction outputs.
“We’re a biotech company offering synthetic DNA design services for improved strain development. We use proprietary Artificial Intelligence to help biotech-based companies worldwide achieve more effective and efficient genetic engineering processes. Our technology designs optimized DNA sequences that help to maximize bio-manufacturing yields while reducing development costs,” explains Mirko Ceriani, the co-founder of Tailwind Biotech.
The startup stems from years of academic research on DNA design by a now-former DTU professor, Christopher Workman, who has embarked on a new role as Chief Scientific Officer at Tailwind Biotech.
“Christopher has been working for several years on topics such as gene regulation research, gene expression analysis, and DNA sequence modeling in his position as Associate Professor at DTU,” explains Ceriani, adding that the initial software code that acts as the foundation of Tailwind Biotech’s technology was written during Christopher’s time at DTU.
Incubation at DTU Skylab
Tailwind Biotech has been a part of the office space at the Incubator at DTU Skylab. This space provides not only the usual desk and chairs but also business coaching, access to all facilities at DTU Skylab, and continuous sparring with the community at the hub.
“As a startup being incubated at Skylab, we have been supported by top professionals from the entrepreneurial field during our time at the Incubator. We’ve had access to free counseling sessions, which have provided us with invaluable insights that have laid the foundation for the service offerings of Tailwind Biotech,” Mirko explains.
The biotech-based startup is on its way to becoming a leading player in the field of AI-powered DNA design and is currently working on scaling its technology and expanding its customer base.
“The widespread application of AI to DNA design is bound to happen. It’s only a matter of ‘when.’ We want to be the ones leading this revolution. In the years to come, we hope to help several bioproduction-based businesses worldwide thrive through our technology,” says Mirko.
