In California, the largest US-based provider of synthetic genes for industrial and academic use is rebranding. DNA2.0 will now be known as ATUM. In Egyptian mythology, Atum was the first god and considered the underlying substance of the world.
The company was founded in 2003 to “marry computation design and gene synthesis.” The name change reflects the companies expanded focus into manipulating DNA to engineer biology, including finding better genes, proteins, and pathways, as well as creating new cells.
“We are helping to transform biology from a discovery science to an engineering discipline, and seeking out areas where this approach can have the biggest impact,” says Jeremy Minshull, Ph.D., cofounder and CEO. “Our vision for this new biology is to help advance solutions for some of the world’s biggest problems—disease, climate change and food insecurity.”
The company has been expanding its technology base. It acquired MIGS, an antibody engineering firm in April. The company also recently added patents to its new LeapIn transposase portfolio for gene expression, gene therapy, and gene discovery.
“Historically, we have partnered with companies who use our DNA-based tools in-house,” Minshull says. “By optimizing the interactions between our molecular tools, cells and growth conditions, we can offer more complete solutions, and speed our partners’ progress.”