Traditional stem cell differentiation requires exposure to growth factors, medium changes, and other conditions for several months to obtain the desired cell type. Each step is extremely sensitive to time and reagent conditions, leading to unstable, difficult-to-reproduce results and limiting the scalability of research. Reproducibility, batch variability, and long optimization times are considered the main challenges in cell production.
The new Cellgorithm platform automates the cell differentiation process, laying the foundation for programmable control of gene activity. This technology allows for the creation of diverse cell types more quickly and reliably than manual methods.
The gene activation sequence is encoded by a single DNA "program" that mimics natural cell development. Genes are activated in a strictly defined sequence without the need for repeated manual intervention. The system is capable of sequentially turning on at least seven genes, and experiments with human induced pluripotent stem cells have demonstrated cascades of up to ten steps. This approach allows the differentiation process to be shortened from months to days or weeks.
"We can now achieve an unprecedented level of temporal control over gene activation in stem cells," said Ryan Clark, co-founder of Syntax Bio and the company's chief technology officer. "This is the basis for a new programming language for cells that could surpass the slow and unstable differentiation approaches that researchers have relied on for years."
For patients, this achievement means faster access to treatments for diabetes, heart failure, Parkinson's disease, vision loss, and other conditions. Improved reproducibility and scalability accelerate clinical trials and reduce the cost of next-generation regenerative therapies.
Syntax Bio was founded in 2024 with $15 million in funding from investors including Astellas Venture Management and Illumina Ventures. The firm partners with biopharmaceutical companies to apply Cellgorithm to drug development.
