| NSF Org: |
MCB Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | July 20, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | July 20, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 2123465 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Anthony Garza
aggarza@nsf.gov (703)292-2489 MCB Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences BIO Directorate for Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | August 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2025 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $992,280.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $992,280.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1 UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ALBUQUERQUE NM US 87131-0001 (505)277-4186 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 2200 Albuquerque NM US 87131-0001 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Systems and Synthetic Biology |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
Synthetic biologists are embarking on efforts to build synthetic cells with specific functions and desired applications such as the ability to eradicate infection-causing microbes or the ability to breakdown toxic chemicals in the environment. One basic function these synthetic cells will need is the ability to actively sense and respond to the external environment. The goal of this project is to test a synthetic compartmentalization system known as programmable bodies or P-bodies, which is designed to provide synthetic cells with the ability to sense and respond to environmental cues. In addition to the development of synthetic P-bodies, this project will allow an interdisciplinary team to train graduate and undergraduate students, to expand the intellectual and professional networks available to participants, and to design and deliver a learning module on ?synthetic life ethics.?
This project integrates advances in bottom-up synthetic biology and engineering of liquid-liquid phase separation of intrinsically disordered proteins, nucleic-acid binding proteins, and nucleic acids. Specifically, the goal is to develop a versatile synthetic cell platform that integrates intracellular synthetic P-bodies which dynamically respond to, and regulate, gene expression in manners analogous to natural membraneless organelles. These bodies comprise phase-separated nucleic acids and engineered fusions of intrinsically disordered proteins and ribonucleoproteins. Their dynamic and reversible formation and dissolution is mediated by chemically induced gene expression to enable chemical sensing. Molecular-level response is likewise enabled by the triggered formation and dissolution of the synthetic P-bodies to sequester or release molecular cargo. The project integrates synthetic cells into functional hybrid materials systems for the specific application of controlling formation of bacterial biofilms.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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