DNA synthesis unit

• Subject Area: Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
• Term: Funded in 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 568760650

This proposal seeks funding for an innovative research platform designed to explore and develop biological systems in a targeted manner by learning to write DNA at scale. At its core, the project aims to establish Digital Biology as a new research field. Rather than relying solely on natural mutations and selection, new research approaches will be developed to design and study genetic information. This will lead to new scientific insights and applications in medicine, industry, and biotechnology. At the heart of this project is a technology platform that brings digital DNA designs to life by synthesizing them and testing their function in living cells. This process called the "Giga-Loop," works in continuous cycles: computer-generated DNA sequences are produced, introduced into cells, and analyzed. The resulting data is used to refine AI models, making them increasingly accurate over time. This self-improving system helps to learn from biology and build useful biological systems for health, sustainability, and industrial applications. Key components of the platform include a DNA synthesizer capable of producing tens of thousands of DNA fragments daily and a sequencing system that can analyze their effects at high throughput. Additional technologies support the assembly and functional testing of DNA sequences. With this infrastructure, the research platform will 1) Investigate the design of genetic control elements to fine-tune gene activity, 2) optimize the flow of genetic information from DNA to functional proteins, and 3) systematically analyze and synthesize entire genomes. The primary focus is to advance fundamental biological research while driving scientific and technological innovation. In the long term, this initiative will strengthen Germany’s position as a global leader in Digital Biology, fostering new advances in biotechnology and medicine.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: DNA-Syntheseplattform
• Instrumentation Group: 1160 Synthese-Apparaturen der Biochemie
• Applicant Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Leader: Professor Dr. Beat Christen