Project Grant R21HG013161

This Project Grant award from the National Human Genome Research Institute (CFDA 93.172 - Human Genome Research) provides $452,375 to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York to develop a platform for rapid and efficient generation of multi-site sequence variants using template-guided gene synthesis. The project aims to advance this synthesis approach by optimizing predictive algorithms, experimental protocols, and robotic automation to produce kilobase-sized DNA constructs up to 10-20 times cheaper and 5-10 times faster than current de novo gene synthesis methods. The platform will be evaluated through the generation of phosphomimetic variants to map cell signaling pathways. This 2-year project is expected to be completed by August 31, 2025.