Phase Genomics

Phase Genomics is a Seattle, WA-based genomics company founded in 2015 by a team of genome scientists, software engineers, and entrepreneurs. The company develops ultra-long-range sequencing technology and computational tools based on proximity ligation (Hi-C), a method that captures physical interactions between DNA segments to add a new dimension of information to standard sequencing data. Phase Genomics serves researchers at academic institutions, research organizations, and biopharmaceutical firms working across life sciences, medicine, and agriculture.

The company offers a portfolio of laboratory kits and computational platforms covering genome assembly, metagenome analysis, and structural variant detection. Its products are applied to areas including cytogenetics, microbiology, metagenomics, plant and animal genomics, oncology, and infectious disease research. Thousands of scientists worldwide use Phase Genomics technology, and the company was named Metagenomics Innovation of the Year for 2023 by the BioTech Breakthrough Awards.

Core Products and Platforms

• ProxiMeta™ Platform: A metagenome deconvolution solution that uses proximity ligation to separate and reconstruct individual genomes from complex metagenomic samples.
• Proximo™ Platform: A genome scaffolding platform that uses Hi-C data to assemble high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genomes for plants, animals, and other organisms.
• CytoTerra® Cytogenetics: A next-generation cytogenetics assay designed to identify and characterize all major types of chromosomal abnormalities in a single, high-resolution test, with applications in cancer and inherited disease research.
• Hi-C Kits: Proximity ligation library preparation kits available for plants, animals, microbes, and human samples.
• ProxiMeta™ Explorer: An online tool providing access to metagenome analysis capabilities.

Focus Areas and Applications

• Metagenomics and Microbiology: Deconvolution of complex metagenomic samples; discovery of new species, strains, and genes; viral genome reconstruction and host attribution; mobile genetic element host attribution; antibiotic resistance surveillance; human microbiome research; fungal genomics; and functional metagenomics and bioprospecting.
• Plant and Animal Genomics: Construction of high-quality, chromosome-scale reference genomes; haplotype resolution and polyploidy analysis; functional and comparative genomics; and studies of gene structure, function, and interactions to support biodiversity conservation.
• Cytogenetics and Oncology: Detection and characterization of chromosomal abnormalities to support understanding of the genetic basis of cancer and inherited diseases.
• Infectious Disease and Antibiotic Resistance: Tracking of viruses and their host targets; surveillance of antibiotic resistance genes and their spread via mobile genetic elements.

Technology

• The core technology is proximity ligation (Hi-C), which captures long-range physical interactions between DNA molecules within cells, enabling genome scaffolding, metagenome binning, structural variant detection, and chromatin interaction analysis.
• Phase Genomics provides both molecular (wet lab) and computational (bioinformatics) components, offering sample-to-insight workflows.
• Computational platforms include software for genome assembly, metagenome analysis, and structural variant analysis.

Resources and Support

• Phase Genomics provides protocols, analysis tools, product literature, a video library, a blog, and a community resource called Phasebook.
• The company maintains a distributor network and offers direct customer support.
• Featured publications and an events calendar are available to support the scientific community.

Company and Leadership

• Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Seattle, WA.
• Led by Founder and CEO Ivan Liachko, COO Kayla Young, and VP of Research and Development Stephen Eacker.
• Advisory board includes Jay Shendure PhD, Maitreya Dunham PhD, Elhanan Borenstein PhD, Andrew Adey PhD, Ken Myer, and Todd Smith PhD.
• The company participates in conferences including the American Society of Human Genetics, Association for Molecular Pathology, American Society of Hematology, and ID Week.
• Customers include leading academic institutions such as Auburn University and the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, with users reporting generation of highly contiguous plant genomes and chromatin interaction datasets using Phase Genomics libraries.