Phosphoramidite chemistry has been a longstanding method for writing synthetic DNA, but it has faced limitations when it comes to creating longer and more complex oligonucleotides. Ansa Biotechnologies has recently announced a major breakthrough by successfully synthesizing a 1005-base long oligonucleotide with industry-leading accuracy. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the field of DNA synthesis.

Ansa Biotechnologies is also launching an Early Access Program aimed at helping researchers obtain synthetic genes with sequences that were previously challenging to synthesize. This program is expected to support various research applications, including protein engineering, cell and gene therapies, fundamental life sciences research, and biomanufacturing.

Daniel Lin-Arlow, CEO, and co-founder of Ansa Biotechnologies, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating that their long Ansamer oligonucleotides will enable the faster and more reliable manufacturing of genetic constructs for researchers. This breakthrough addresses a critical need in the field, where synthetic DNA is essential for a wide range of applications.

The limitations of current DNA synthesis methods, particularly phosphoramidite chemistry, become evident when dealing with longer sequences containing complex features, high GC or AT content, strong secondary structures, or long homopolymer stretches. These limitations have hindered the development of synthetic DNA for various applications.

Ansa Biotechnologies' innovative enzymatic DNA synthesis method offers a solution to these challenges. Their approach utilizes a template-independent polymerase called terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) conjugated to a single deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) molecule. This method allows for rapid and controlled single nucleotide additions to a growing DNA molecule, enabling the synthesis of longer and more complex sequences.

The recent success of Ansa Biotechnologies in synthesizing a 1005-base long oligonucleotide demonstrates the potential of their enzymatic DNA synthesis technology. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because the synthesized sequence includes complex features, high GC content, and strong secondary structures, making it suitable for gene therapy development.

Ansa's approach to DNA synthesis offers several advantages, including rapid synthesis of long and complex sequences, fully enzymatic processes that do not damage DNA, and environmental friendliness with no harsh chemicals involved.

Rather than selling bioprinters to researchers, Ansa Biotechnologies has chosen to develop its business as a DNA synthesis service. This approach allows the company to vet orders for biosecurity risks before manufacturing, ensuring responsible use of their technology.

In 2022, Ansa secured $68 million in funding to support its research, engineering, and operations teams, as well as expand its manufacturing capabilities. This funding has propelled the company closer to its goal of offering fast and accurate DNA synthesis services to scientists worldwide.

The Early Access Program initiated by Ansa Biotechnologies aims to provide researchers with access to clonal, sequence-perfect DNA constructs, including sequences that were previously challenging to synthesize. This program has the potential to revolutionize DNA synthesis and accelerate scientific discoveries in various fields.

Ansa Biotechnologies' vision is to eliminate limitations related to sequence complexity in research, making DNA synthesis as convenient and accessible as possible. This achievement brings them one step closer to fulfilling this vision and providing scientists with the tools they need to advance their research rapidly and accurately.

As the field of DNA synthesis continues to evolve, Ansa Biotechnologies' breakthrough marks a significant advancement in DNA synthesis technology, offering new possibilities for researchers and scientists worldwide.

Source: https://www.oligotherapeutics.org/amazon-prime-for-dna-has-a-new-era-of-oligonucleotide-synthesis-begun/