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An automated and programmable microfluidic platform for combinatorial gene assembly and biosynthesis applications

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: D13PC00039
Agency Tracking Number: D12B-003-0009
Amount: $99,912.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: ST12B-003
Solicitation Number: 2012.B
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-01-28
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2013-07-27
Small Business Information
187 Saratoga Avenue
Santa Clara, CA -
United States
DUNS: 968226634
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Michael Pollack
 Chief Technology Officer
 (925) 766-3997
 e.jensen@hjsciencetech.com
Business Contact
 Hong Jiao
Title: President
Phone: (408) 464-3873
Email: h.jiao@hjsciencetech.com
Research Institution
 Lawrence Berkeley Nat'l Laboratory
 Susan M Hedley
 
One Cyclotron Road 971-SP
Berkeley, CA 94720-
United States

 (510) 486-6273
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

HJ Science & Technology (HJS & T) and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) propose to develop an automated, software-controlled, programmable, low-cost, and compact platform capable of running rapid and complex bioengineering processes and optimization of new biomanufacturing systems. Our approach combines the microfluidic automation technology of HJS & T with the novel synthetic biology technologies of combinatorial gene library generation, host transfection, and gene product screening at JBEI. Compared with conventional approaches, the integrated microfluidic technology has these advantages: 1) on-chip automation, eliminating the need for bulky and expensive sample handling robots, 2) small volume, reducing reagent consumption, and 3) multifunctional integration on a microchip level. In Phase I, we will establish the feasibility of the microfluidic automation technology by performing 1) construction of a combinatorial library of Green Fluorescent Protein and Red Fluorescent Protein gene expression cassettes, and 2) subsequent transformation into yeast cells/chromosomal integration and screening of expression products, on the same microfluidic chip in a fully automated format. In Phase II, we will realize a fully automated and programmable platform for the biological design-build-test cycle that encompasses 4 basic steps: 1) software DNA design; 2) DNA synthesis and assembly; 3) transfection/chromosomal integration and product screening; and 4) real-time feedback and control.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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