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About Zymo Research

"The beauty of science is to make things simple"

Larry Jia, Founder/CEO

Over 29 Years of Discovery & Innovation

From its birthplace in a small garage in Orange, California, to the industry leader it is today, Zymo Research has been led by a vision to have a positive impact in the biomedical field and to contribute to the greater good of humanity. That vision touches every aspect of Zymo Research and has guided the company’s growth, culture and creation of the most innovative and valuable biomedical tools and services since 1994.

Now, Zymo Research is a globally established biotechnology company and industry leader in the fields of epigenetics, microbiomics and the emerging Next-Gen Sequencing space. With international facilities and a global distribution network, Zymo Research enables researchers in academia and the biomedical field to make cutting-edge discoveries all over the world. While the company provides some of the most technologically advanced products in the industry, everything is driven by the fundamental belief that "the beauty of science is to make things simple."

OUR VISION

To have a positive impact on the biomedical field and to contribute to the greater good of humanity.

OUR MISSION

To provide the most reliable, innovative, and valuable biomedical tools and services to our customers through research and strategic development.

GOLDEN RULE

"Treat others as you would like to be treated."

We strongly believe this principle dictates teamwork and open communication.

Quality

Innovation

Customer Service

The Sun Rises in the Yeast

Humble Beginnings from a Southern California Garage

yeast image

The story starts in an unusual place - in an old garage, with second-hand equipment, a passion for science and a desire to make things better. Small and unassuming, a makeshift lab in Orange, California would soon become the birthplace of ideas and products that would change the world.

Out of a broken centrifuge that could only spin down yeast, one scientist spun a clear vision - to have a positive impact in the biomedical field and contribute to the greater good of humanity. That vision started to materialize in the creation of industry-leading yeast research technologies, followed by spin columns and plasmid purification products.

Without the need for investors, Zymo Research was able to build on passion and the voices of customers, instead of investment dollars. This allowed the company to listen to what researchers needed and act immediately to provide highly advanced technology that made their work simple.

With this approach, Zymo Research expanded globally and established 6 facilities around the world in places like Freiburg, Germany and Beijing, China. Today Zymo Research creates some of the most technologically advanced products available to researchers in academia and the biomedical field, driven by the fundamental belief that the beauty of science is to make things simple.

Zymo Timeline

Terra Incognita

We believe in boldness to explore new scientific frontiers. We face uncertainty head-on in pursuit of our mission.

How We Innovate

As a private company, Zymo Research revolves around the needs, ideas and feedback of customers. From product development to the renowned technical support, Zymo Research is built on a foundation of scientists supporting scientists. Our products challenge traditionally accepted ideas and workflows, with a belief that when you listen to the needs of customers, there is always room for innovation to make things more simple.

The Story of the Micro-Elution Spin Column

While researching unidentified pathogens, a young virologist became frustrated with conventional methods of nucleic acid clean up. Low concentrations of DNA from large elution volumes hindered his research and took up precious time. One day, he finally had enough of inefficient protocols and products, so he pioneered his own.

With a glass microfiber filter, a micro Eppendorf tube and a hot needle to make holes, the founder of Zymo Research fashioned the first ever micro-elution spin column.

The homemade spin column provided the scientist with very high concentrations of DNA from small elution volumes. The ultra-pure, highly concentrated DNA from the spin column enabled him to reliably sequence DNA directly from PCR without cloning, something that had previously been very inconsistent.

When nearby researchers noticed how efficiently the scientist was working, the spin columns started to disappear from his work station. It was clear that this technology fulfilled a widespread need in the industry, so he decided to make it available to the world. This marked the beginning of the Zymo-Spin Micro-Elution Spin Column.

How DNA/RNA Shield Got Its Start

Prompted by scorching temperatures in the Middle East and no access to freezers, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research set out to compare nucleic acid preservation methods to find the most reliable solution for collecting specimens for surveillance.

Inspired by the idea of a soldier in the Middle East with nothing more than a small tube and a backpack, Zymo Research submitted formulations that could preserve nucleic acids at any temperature and also protect users from harmful pathogens.

What would later become DNA/RNA Shield, the formulations provided by Zymo Research far outperformed other methods due to its ability to inactivate pathogens and stabilize RNA in extreme temperatures. The results of this study sparked other military interest from US Army Medical Detachments in Kuwait.

After validating the preservation of viral nucleic acids in DNA/RNA Shield, a group requested and distributed the solution throughout the region. The reagent helped the operation of field response to disease outbreaks and facilitated sample collection from places where medical assets were very limited.

Adaptability

We operate with the acceptance of quick changes in our world and scientific landscape and embrace the challenge.

The Sky is Not the Limit

We're on your team, wherever your research takes you.

Giving Back to Our Community

Creating a positive impact is at the heart of what we do

Together We Go Far

Teamwork and collaboration is in our DNA

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Advisory Board

Jones
Peter Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc.

Chief Scientific Officer, Professor

Van Andel Institute

Jacobsen
Steven Jacobsen, Ph.D.

Professor

University of California – Los Angeles

Meissner
Alexander Meissner, Ph.D.

Professor, Harvard University

Director, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics

Schwemmle
Martin Schwemmle, Ph.D.

Professor

University of Freiburg, Germany

Eisen
Jonathan Eisen, Ph.D.

Professor

University of California- Davis

Sinclair
David A. Sinclair, Ph.D.

Professor, Co-Director

Harvard Medical School

Ecker
Joseph Ecker, Ph.D.

Professor, Director

Salk Institute for Biological Studies