This SBIR Phase I award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) program (CFDA 47.084) provides $275,000 to Caravel Bio, Inc. to develop a novel synthetic biology platform for high-throughput directed evolution of spore-displayed enzymes. The project aims to create customizable enzyme solutions for industrial biocatalyst applications by improving key properties like enzyme activity, stability, and loading density. The technology uses a spore display immobilization process to assemble enzymes on the surface of bacterial spores, enabling rapid prototyping and screening of enzyme variants. The broader impact is to provide an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical catalysts for industries such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and carbon capture. The project will advance the spore display screening capabilities, benchmark the improved biocatalysts, and leverage machine learning to enhance the enzyme engineering process.
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