 NSF invests more than $32M in biotechnology, accelerating the adoption of cell-free systems
Awardees will develop new approaches to cell-free systems that will benefit multiple industries, including pharmaceuticals, biomanufacturing, bioelectrochemistry and agrochemicals
The U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (NSF TIP) announced an inaugural investment of $32.4 million to four teams to accelerate the adoption of cell-free systems, enable new applications of this technology and contribute to the growth of the U.S. bioeconomy.
The NSF Advancing Cell-Free Systems Toward Increased Range of Use-Inspired Applications (NSF CFIRE) initiative aims to reduce the cost of cell-free systems in biochemical processes, increase the range and capabilities of cell-free systems, and develop and demonstrate cost-effective use-inspired applications. Cell-free systems offer a promising alternative to traditional cell-based applications in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and other industries.
"NSF is resolute in our commitment to advancing breakthroughs in biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and other key technologies of significance to the U.S. economy," said Erwin Gianchandani, assistant director for NSF TIP. "The novel approaches from these four CFIRE teams will speed up and expand the adoption of cell-free systems across a variety of industries and ensure America’s competitive position in the global bioeconomy.
A promising ecosystem has formed around the ability to carry out biochemical processes such as DNA transcription and translation, in cell-free, in vitro systems instead of in traditional cell-based, in vivo bioreactors. While this approach has several potential advantages, such as rapid turnaround, distributed and highly retargetable manufacturing, precise control over manufacturing environments, and the ability to produce biomaterials that cannot be produced in traditional cells, present-day cell-free manufacturing is significantly more expensive than cell-based methods, which limits both its adoption and its range of applications. NSF CFIRE awardees will develop technical approaches that mitigate these cost and application limitations of cell-free technology and enable ongoing cycles of improvement.
CFIRE used the "Ideas Lab" process, an interactive workshop of experts and stakeholders with multiple perspectives, to collaboratively develop innovative approaches and solutions to specific problems or grand challenges. The CFIRE Ideas Lab focused on identifying specific opportunities to significantly reduce the cost of cell-free systems, establish acceptable standards for fidelity and reproducibility, expand the range of capabilities to facilitate broader adoption of the technology, and identify and prioritize use-driven applications. CFIRE has sought to transcend traditional barriers, bringing together leading researchers from industry and academia to develop and translate cell-free technologies.
TIP invests in opportunities to accelerate use-inspired and translational research and development to advance U.S. competitiveness in key technology areas. The CFIRE initiative is one such example of this, showcasing U.S. leadership in cell-free systems for the bioeconomy. Learn more about TIP's work in emerging technologies.
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