Technology Offers a “Snapshot” into the Future of Genetic Engineering

The first wave of genetic engineering technology initially could only be tapped by billion-dollar companies and large university labs. Now, a UK-based company is placing the power of its genetic engineering tech in the hands of thousands of professionals and researchers who can use it for a wide range of applications.

Snapshot is the first commercial model of the human cell that models genes and metabolic reactions to accurately simulate how cells function, according to Macauley Coggins, director of Scarborough Biotechnology. The model is designed as alow cost solution to help companies who implement genetic engineering for a wide range of applications such as developing breakthrough pharmaceuticals to helping train the next generation of genetic engineers.

Coggins said this is ground breaking technology for genetic engineering. Currently, if a company or research lab wants to explore cell functionality, they must spend money and time physically altering the cell function in vitro. With Snapshot, no laboratory equipment is required and thus is much cheaper, he added.