Aug 20, 2026 - BAV Institute
25 years of lifeprint: From genetic engineering pioneer to a specialized laboratory for modern DNA analysis
lifeprint GmbH in Illertissen is celebrating its 25th anniversary. What began as a small PCR laboratory with two employees has grown into a specialized analytical laboratory with almost 30 staff and a broad range of services in modern DNA and food analysis.
lifeprint was founded in March 2001 by Dr. Sibylle Rösel. During her doctoral studies she worked for the first time with the then-new PCR technology. As industry demand for testing for genetically modified organisms grew, she developed a viable business concept from this. The business plan was drawn up in January 2001, and just a few weeks later the company was founded.
"The idea was successful: the concept worked and the company continued to develop over 25 years. I would start lifeprint again at any time," says Dr. Sibylle Rösel.
From a three-room laboratory to a modern analytics site
The first laboratory consisted of a grinding room, an area for DNA extraction and a PCR area. The first tests included the genetic engineering screening parameters p35S and tNOS. The first customer came from the animal feed sector. Within about six months Dr. Rösel was able to devote herself fully to the young company.
An important foundation for further development was accreditation in 2002. With the acquisition of the first real-time PCR instrument, the gradual shift from endpoint to real-time PCR also began.
The range of services was also continuously expanded: genetic engineering analytics was joined by tests for animal and plant species as well as allergens. From 2010 onward, residue analyses for pesticides, heavy metals and mycotoxins supplemented the portfolio. Other milestones were the introduction of sequencing in 2015, next-generation sequencing in 2018 and metabarcoding in 2025.
Continuous growth and modern laboratory space
With the growing range of analyses and increasing sample numbers, the need for space also increased. In 2012 the laboratory space was initially doubled. A further expansion completed in 2023 tripled the area.
Dr. Kathrin Neumann has been with the company since 2006 and took over site management in 2015. Since 2023 she has been running the site together with Alessa Neumann.
Since 2013 lifeprint has been part of the Tentamus Group and, together with bilacon and QSI, is among its founding laboratories. The international network enables intensive professional exchange, pools expertise and supports the development of new analytical methods.
DNA analysis for authenticity and food safety
While in the early years the focus was primarily on detecting genetically modified organisms, DNA analysis is now used for many other questions. These include, among others, the identification of animal and plant species, authenticity checks and the detection of food adulteration. At the same time, demand for allergen testing is growing – currently detection of gluten is in particularly high demand.
An important future technology is metabarcoding. This method enables complex samples to be examined simultaneously for a large number of biological components. New questions related to genome editing will also become increasingly important for manufacturers and retailers in the future.
lifeprint's development over 25 years has been shaped by technological curiosity, professional competence and a strong commitment to quality. On this basis, the analysis portfolio and the site will continue to be further developed in the future.