This National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences (CFDA 47.074) program grant to the University of Rochester in the amount of $376,301 will support research to develop an innovative platform that leverages horizontal gene transfer (HGT) to self-regulate and stabilize microbial consortia. The project aims to create programmable microbial populations capable of maintaining stability across diverse conditions, with applications in bioproduction, environmental cleanup, and human health. Key objectives include computational modeling to identify parameters governing HGT dynamics, synthetic engineering of modular plasmids, and evaluation of the platform in a real-world scenario producing the valuable natural product curcumin. Additionally, the project will develop hands-on biomodeling kits to teach systems biology concepts and engage students from underserved communities. This work addresses critical challenges in synthetic biology and aims to inspire the next generation of STEM innovators.
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