Development of Light-Responsive Artificial Cells using Plant-Based Photoreceptor Systems

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) has a requirement to research advanced foundational science in the synthetic biology domain. The goal is to leverage high-throughput protein engineering and AI-assisted structural refinement to create programmable, pseudo-living systems responsive to environmental light stimuli. This project will address a key challenge by integrating unique photoreceptor systems evolved in plants into artificial cell platforms. • The project involves researching advanced foundational science in synthetic biology • The goal is to create programmable, pseudo-living systems responsive to environmental light stimuli • The project will integrate unique photoreceptor systems evolved in plants into artificial cell platforms • The contract is intended to be awarded to Bioconscientia, LLC, as they are determined to be the only source capable of fulfilling the government's requirement.