Zymo Research Corp. doesn’t just partner on new types of research studies, it innovates in-house. It’s created several new businesses, including:
• Epimorphy LLC of Irvine sells its consumer-focused MyDNAge test, which uses epigenetics to provide insight on biological aging. Epigentics refers to a type of modification in a genetic sequence which can allow a gene to be turned “on” or “off.”
Upon test results, consumers receive a “biological” age, which may or may not match their human age based on factors such as anxiety and stress, diet, physical activity and other health factors.
Epimorphy, founded by Zymo CEO Larry Jia, strives to use epigenetics to inform personal and population health in the future.
• MiDog LLC, an Irvine-based animal testing startup, offers a microbial test to identify hundreds of different types of bacteria in dogs to determine what is causing an illness or infection.
The test, which was developed by Dr. Janina Krumbeck, director of microbiome applications at Zymo, uses DNA sequencing to identify all types of bacteria, fungi and other organisms to find what’s causing the problem.
It’s the first test to consider a variety of organisms that impact health in animals, the company says.
—Jessie Yount
