Phase Genomics

Based in Seattle, Washington, Phase Genomics, Inc. operates in the biotechnology sector, providing advanced genomic solutions to a global clientele of academic and industrial researchers. The company was established in 2015 by Dr. Ivan Liachko and Shawn Sullivan, who translated their work as genome scientists at the University of Washington into a commercial enterprise. Dr. Liachko, the CEO, is a molecular geneticist who emigrated from Ukraine at age 11 and developed a passion for genetics from an early age. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell and invented the company's core technology during his postdoctoral fellowship. The company's journey began in the CoMotion biotech incubator at the University of Washington before expanding to its own facility.

Phase Genomics' business model centers on the sale of proximity ligation (Hi-C) kits, industry-leading software, and comprehensive scientific services, including computational analyses. This approach is designed to generate revenue while also securing non-dilutive funding through grants from prestigious institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Department of Energy. This strategy has enabled the company to finance its research and development in areas like antimicrobial resistance, oncology, and biofuels.

The company's core technology is a suite of ultra-long-range sequencing and computational tools based on proximity ligation, which provides a three-dimensional view of how DNA is organized within a cell. This methodology offers significant improvements in the quality and depth of information derived from DNA sequencing. Key products include the Proximo® platform for high-resolution, chromosome-scale genome assembly for various organisms; ProxiMeta™ for advanced metagenomic analysis and viral discovery; and CytoTerra™, which uses Genetic Proximity Mapping™ (GPM) for comprehensive surveys of the genomic landscape in oncology and genetic disease research. These tools empower scientists to deconvolute complex microbial samples, link mobile genetic elements like plasmids to their hosts, assemble high-quality reference genomes, and detect large-scale chromosomal abnormalities with a single assay.

Keywords: proximity ligation, Hi-C sequencing, genome assembly, metagenomics, cytogenetics, microbial genomics, structural variation analysis, chromosome-scale scaffolding, long-range sequencing, computational biology, genomic services, antimicrobial resistance, oncology genomics, plant genomics, animal genomics, viral discovery, microbiome analysis, genetic mapping, DNA sequencing solutions, bioinformatics software