Ginkgo Bioworks Enhances NGS Capabilities with Callisto Integration

Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), a leading synthetic biology company, has recently integrated the Callisto™ Sample Prep System developed by Volta Labs into its routine Illumina sequencing workflow. This strategic move addresses the challenges of automating difficult-to-automate NGS processes in Ginkgo's high-throughput lab, offering several key advantages in terms of operational efficiency and market competitiveness.

The Callisto system, a benchtop instrument with pre-optimized applications for various sequencing workflows, supports short- and long-read sequencing, from nucleic acid extractions to sequencing-ready libraries. Its advanced electrowetting, magnetic, and acoustic capabilities, along with proprietary VoltaNode™ technology, enable precise liquid separation, efficient DNA elution from beads, and flexible batch processing.



Ginkgo Bioworks' integration of Callisto addresses critical bottlenecks in NGS workflows by handling thousands of individual samples with varying batch sizes, significantly reducing labor costs and human error in sample preparation. The walk-away automation capability allows Ginkgo to process samples efficiently, freeing up staff time for other tasks and minimizing the risk of human error.

The App Store concept on Callisto enables Ginkgo to access multiple sequencing technologies and chemistries on a single platform, allowing the company to adapt quickly to different sequencing requirements without additional capital investment. This approach maintains lower operating costs through standardized processes and scales operations more efficiently with varying demand.

The addition of size selection capabilities through the Volta Apps menu further enhances the platform's utility, particularly for short-read sequencing applications across multiple platforms (Illumina, Element Biosciences, and Ultima Genomics). This multi-platform compatibility positions Ginkgo to maintain technological flexibility while optimizing its sequencing workflows.

Ginkgo Bioworks' integration of Callisto demonstrates the company's commitment to optimizing its foundry operations and reducing operational costs while increasing throughput capacity. This strategic focus on automation and efficiency is crucial for maintaining Ginkgo's competitive edge in synthetic biology and improving margins in the capital-intensive biotech sector.

In conclusion, Ginkgo Bioworks' integration of the Callisto Sample Prep System addresses the challenges of automating difficult-to-automate NGS processes in its high-throughput lab, offering several key advantages in terms of operational efficiency and market competitiveness. The Callisto system's advanced capabilities, flexible batch processing, and App Store concept enable Ginkgo to streamline workflows, reduce costs, and increase throughput, ultimately enhancing the company's competitive position in the synthetic biology market.