Bioinformatics, which is yielding advances like embedding DNA into microchips to obtain technologies capable of managing large quantities of information and interacting with the human body, is on the frontiers of biotech research, with applications ranging from telecommunications to diagnostics. In the following interview with the Aspen Italia website team, researcher Roberto Crea, one of the co-developers of synthetic insulin, as well as founder of several biotech start-ups in Silicon Valley and in Italy, talks about his most recent venture, ProtElix, Inc., and the prospects for this sector in general.
What does working on the use of proprietary DNA mutagenesis technology entail?
DNA has the ability to self-assemble, and offers the possibility of creating polymers that can act as semiconductors. There are several studies underway around the world in this field. We, as a small start-up, are focusing on exploiting an interesting principle of DNA, which is the ability to use palindromic sequences (that is, molecules that recognize themselves and are therefore capable of bonding) to self-assemble. We’ve discovered a law that applies in this field which we consider very important: if you put two palindromic sequences side-by-side, you simply need to design one molecule which will then self-complete, automatically forming polymers.
What are the possible applications of this technology?
These strands could replace silicon in biochips with a vast range of applications, from phones to computers. Indeed, recent discoveries enable us to not only reduce the size of chips, but to also increase their ability to store or transmit information. We should also bear in mind the applications in diagnostics and therapeutics: these polymers may be modified to enable the administration of medications or the recognition of very specific human DNA sequences. DNA is, after all, a naturally-occurring molecule, and it is possible to produce sequences that are introduced into the human body without causing immunological damage. DNA is already being used to discover genetic diseases and to develop vaccines. The challenge that the industry faces today is that of mass production.
As one of the co-developers of synthetic insulin, how would you rate the recent state of research?
The research which started the biotech revolution began almost 40 years ago in Silicon Valley. Personally, at Genentech, I was fortunate to be one of the first to synthesize DNA in laboratory conditions, taking part in what during the 1970s seemed an impossible mission, namely, that of synthesizing the insulin gene from 29 fragments. Today, research allows us to start from a small molecule to form strands which can reach a considerable size. This is important because in the micro-fabrication process, it is essential to minimize the number of elements that go towards making up the end product. This way it becomes easier to produce in the laboratory as well as to test the properties of these sequences, with the aim of facilitating the flow of electrons along the DNA chain.
You established a start-up in Italy of which you are also the CEO. What do you think of the state of biotech research in our country?
There is no shortage of university-level research into DNA, with complete coverage of the different aspects of this field. The problem in Italy remains that of applying research and working with industry. In California, our research is geared towards responding to needs raised by companies, and we come up with applications of considerable scope. The problem in Italy is not confined to universities: if industry were capable of posing important technological questions, Italian researchers would probably be more than happy to take up the challenge. However, things are changing with regards to start-ups, where I believe the situation is more favourable than in the past. Three years ago, I helped set up CreaAgri, in the province of Florence, and I must say that the financial support from local authorities was excellent. The next step is to eliminate the regulatory and infrastructure difficulties that continue to exist. That’s the only way start-ups will have the breathing space to fully devote themselves to research, without having to spend too much time thinking about how to get over the bureaucratic hurdles.
Roberto Crea has been active in biomedical research for decades in the United States, where he contributed in 1977 to the invention of synthetic insulin. Having established various start-ups, he is now President and CEO of ProtElix (a biotech company focused on the use of proprietary DNA mutagenesis technologies) and CreAgri (which has developed technologies and products in the field of natural antioxidant polyphenols derived from olives, with pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food applications).
