Tierra Biosciences, based in San Leandro, has introduced an innovative platform that significantly accelerates the process of protein synthesis. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, the company has made it possible to develop new proteins in a matter of weeks rather than months, setting a new pace in the race for scientific advancement.
Tierra Biosciences’ unique approach allows customers to order custom proteins online, ranging from antibodies to growth factors for food products. The platform operates by creating cell-free reagents or digital sequences to a protein, which are then combined with the customer’s protein sequences in a robotic system to synthesize the desired proteins. This process not only speeds up protein production but also provides valuable data on the protein’s characteristics, such as stability and solubility.
Michael Nemzek, CEO of Tierra, emphasizes the efficiency of their cell-free technology over traditional methods that rely on living cells. This technology not only shortens development time but also offers a comprehensive analysis of a protein’s viability early in the process, saving significant time and resources. For instance, an enzyme for laundry detergent can be evaluated through Tierra’s AI-powered model, providing immediate feedback on the sequence’s effectiveness or need for modification.
This technological innovation is particularly beneficial for entities requiring a high throughput of protein generation. According to Nemzek, Tierra can produce hundreds of proteins in a few weeks at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. The company’s AI data model expands with each protein synthesized, contributing to a growing database of over 5,000 proteins to date.
With $11.4 million in Series A funding, led by Material Impact and supported by notable investors, Tierra Biosciences is poised for commercial expansion. The funding will help the company reach a broader customer base, enhance its AI data generation capabilities, and build a commercial team to drive sales growth.
Tierra’s cell-free technology represents a significant leap forward in protein synthesis, offering a fast, efficient, and cost-effective solution. While it may not address every protein-related challenge, it holds the potential to solve a vast majority, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in protein design and development.