DNA printers coming to market in a few months

DNA synthesis technology is an important part of biological research and development, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Now a technology that combines printer hardware, computers, and biotechnology can print the appropriate biological material in a few hours, following a DNA sequence designed by researchers.

According to market research firm Zion Market Research, the global market for gene synthesis will be worth more than $21 billion by 2026, an annual increase of 27 percent.

Many organizations have considered developing machines that can print out DNA sequences, and French company DNA Script looks fortunate to be at the forefront of this field. The Paris-based company was founded in 2014 and has only about a hundred employees. Over the past seven years, $112 million has been spent to develop this printing technology that combines traditional printers with biosynthesis.

The field of biological research requires frequently designing biological materials with different DNA sequences, building them out for experiments, modifying the design, recreating the modified materials, and experimenting again. Now, researchers can design a DNA sequence very quickly, but the process of building a biological material according to that DNA sequence is a long one, taking weeks, if not months.

Thomas Ybert, co-founder and president of DNA Script, told Forbes magazine that after researchers design the molecule or DNA strand, they transfer the DNA sequence to the device and set it up accordingly. Ybert said the process takes “less than 15 minutes. Then the “run” button is pressed, and a few hours later, the device is designed to produce biological material immediately available for experimentation.

Ebert said he is now waiting for the results of the Alpha and Beta tests. They will begin commercial operations after improvements are made based on feedback. They haven’t set a specific time frame for market launch, but Ebert said they plan to have “the first DNA printer on the market in the next few months.