Using oligo pools, Phytoform Labs screened thousands of AI-designed DNA sequences—streamlining trait engineering, accelerating crop improvement, and optimizing R&D resources.

Meet Dr. Leslie Lyons, the "cat whisperer" of genetics, who never chose cats—they chose her! This fascinating researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia has cracked the genetic code behind some of the most mysterious feline diseases, including discovering that a ketogenic diet can actually reverse polycystic kidney disease in cats (with promising implications for humans too). Using cutting-edge Twist Bioscience technology, her lab has become a genetic detective service for veterinarians worldwide, solving medical mysteries that have puzzled cat owners and vets for decades. From orange tabby genetics to life-saving precision medicine, Dr. Lyons' work is revolutionizing how we understand and treat our feline companions—and she's got some incredible discoveries she's keeping under wraps until her next publication!

In this interview, Twist chatted with Alexandra “Sasha” Nikolaeva (SN) and Lydia Smith (LS), two researchers studying the coast redwood tree. They are part of a research team at UC Berkeley studying the world’s tallest tree species. Together, they have applied a custom NGS panel and target enrichment reagents from Twist to explore the connection between the redwood genome, niche survival, and climate change.