NSF awards $32M to 5 teams for AI-powered protein design breakthroughs

The National Science Foundation has awarded nearly $32 million to five teams across the United States through its inaugural Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design (NSF USPRD) initiative. This strategic investment aims to accelerate the translation of AI-based protein design approaches into real-world applications, strengthening America’s competitive position in the rapidly expanding bioeconomy sector.

Why this matters: The funding represents a critical push to maintain U.S. leadership in biotechnology as global competition intensifies, particularly in areas where AI-driven protein design could revolutionize industries from manufacturing to healthcare.

The big picture: The National Science Foundation’s Technology, Innovation and Partnerships directorate is betting that cross-sector collaboration between industry and academia can overcome current barriers preventing widespread adoption of AI-enabled protein design.

• “Each of the five awardees will focus on developing novel approaches to translate protein design techniques into practical, market-ready solutions,” said Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for TIP.
• The initiative builds on recent advances in predicting 3D protein structures, leveraging molecular modeling, training data access, and high-throughput characterization methods.

How it works: The program used an “Ideas Lab” approach, bringing together experts and stakeholders through interactive workshops to foster collaboration and spark innovation.

• Cross-sector teams from industry and academia co-developed innovative approaches to address biotechnology challenges.
• The process identified aggressive yet attainable practical activities, along with supporting infrastructure needed for successful implementation.

Key details: The five awarded projects target diverse applications across the bioeconomy:

• Arzeda Corp. will engineer AI-designed enzymes using non-natural cofactors to produce bio-based acrylates for paints, Plexiglas®, and super-absorbent materials.
• Koliber Biosciences Inc. is developing AI and machine learning tools to optimize cellular transporters, addressing inefficient transport of small molecules across cell membranes.
• Novozymes Inc. aims to enable cell-free synthesis of complex human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) essential for infant health and development.
• Purdue University will develop bacteria to efficiently produce biodegradable, recyclable plastics that can withstand high temperatures.
• UC Santa Barbara is leveraging AI-based methods to design enzymes for converting plant materials into high-value fuels, lubricants, and surfactants.

What they’re saying: “NSF is pleased to bring together experts from both industry and academia to confront and overcome barriers to the widespread adoption of AI-enabled protein design,” Gianchandani explained.

• “Simply put, NSF USPRD represents a strategic investment in maintaining American leadership in biotechnology at a time of intense global competition.”

The broader context: Since its 2022 inception, NSF TIP has focused on accelerating use-inspired and translational research to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in key technology areas, with protein design representing a particularly promising frontier for commercial applications.