Case Study: Desktop Genetics achieves genomic-scale, on-demand data processing with Google Cloud Platform

Desktop Genetics Handling huge data with scaling on Google Cloud Platform

Desktop Genetics is a London-based bioinformatics startup (founded 2012) that builds the DESKGEN Cloud platform to process CRISPR‑Cas9 genomics data for pharma, academia and biotech. Because a single experiment can generate terabytes of raw data and demand fluctuates wildly, the company faced huge, unpredictable CPU loads and inefficient costs from maintaining oversized private servers.

By moving to Google Cloud Platform — notably Compute Engine and Cloud Storage with confidential buckets plus cloud data services — Desktop Genetics can spin up and resize VMs in seconds, centralize reference files and backups, and enforce granular, HIPAA‑aligned access controls. The result: real-time scaling for data‑intensive jobs, reduced wasted capacity, easier teamwork (no per‑server SSH keys), clearer billing by product, and the ability to take on large genomic projects and serve global clients reliably.

Desktop Genetics

Riley Doyle

CEO and Technical Lead