#USA #Boston #Carnegie Mellon #Ginkgo Bioworks #bioelectronic devices

Ginkgo Bioworks Partners with Carnegie Mellon University

In an exciting development within the biotechnology field, Ginkgo Bioworks has been awarded a substantial subcontract worth up to $9.4 million in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. This collaboration has been established to spearhead the development of bioelectronic cell-based devices aimed at diagnosing and managing various hormone-related disorders. The initiative is part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and its Resilient Extended Automatic Cell Therapies (REACT) program.

Chronic conditions such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and obesity represent significant global health challenges, doubling as sources of distress for millions. Under this new initiative, Ginkgo Bioworks plans to utilize its expertise in mammalian cell engineering to develop innovative cell systems capable of producing therapeutic hormones or monitoring metabolic conditions in real-time.

The project, titled Biointegrated Implantable Systems for Cell-based Sensing and Therapy (BIO-INSYNC), will focus on advanced implantable bioelectronic devices. These sophisticated devices will be engineered to produce therapeutic hormones as needed and measure critical biological markers continuously. The aim is not only to revolutionize the treatment of these chronic diseases but also to streamline monitoring processes, enabling more precise and responsive healthcare solutions. After implantation, these devices are expected to function effectively for at least one year, providing ongoing management of the conditions they are designed to address.

The team intends to demonstrate its platform technology through specific examples related to thyroid disorders, including both hypo and hyperthyroidism. These systems will be able to gauge the levels of thyroid hormones and deliver the required dosages as per the patient's needs. Moreover, remote monitoring capabilities will allow both patients and healthcare providers to keep track of disease indicators and adjust treatment protocols via smartphone applications, underscoring a move towards more personalized medical care.

Commenting on this groundbreaking venture, Jesse Dill, the Business Development Lead at Ginkgo Bioworks, expressed enthusiasm about the chance to work alongside Carnegie Mellon’s team under ARPA-H’s REACT program. Dill remarked that chronic disorders demanding continuous oversight lead to substantial public health burdens, indicating that the bioelectronic devices being targeted hold immense promise for new therapies that simplify the management of such conditions.

Mike Nehil, Senior Director of Mammalian Engineering at Ginkgo Bioworks, emphasized the role of mammalian cell engineering in enhancing collaboration with academic teams driving medical innovations, further expressing excitement for contributing to this substantial project.

Leading the BIO-INSYNC project at Carnegie Mellon, Dr. Burak Ozdoganlar, who holds the Ver Planck Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering, hailed the partnership as a nexus of bioelectronics and cell engineering expertise destined to create transformative healthcare solutions. Collaborators also include researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, and University of California—Santa Cruz, portraying a robust multidisciplinary approach to tackling this project.

This partnership exemplifies Ginkgo’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic research and practical healthcare applications, working alongside innovative funding organizations to address multifaceted health issues.

Ginkgo plans to illustrate its proficiency in engineering mammalian cell systems to tackle intricate diseases as part of this avant-garde program. To stay updated and learn more about Ginkgo’s offerings in biological solutions, interested readers can visit Ginkgo's dedicated webpage for Cell Therapy Services.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo Bioworks stands out as a pioneering platform for cell programming, establishing flexible, comprehensive services aimed at solving challenges faced by various market sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Moreover, through Ginkgo Biosecurity, the company is rolling out next-gen technologies essential for global leaders to proactively respond to and mitigate biological threats. To discover more, visit ginkgobioworks.com and ginkgobiosecurity.com, or follow Ginkgo through various social media channels.