National Science Foundation Awards $22 Million Grant for Groundbreaking BioFoundry at UC Santa Barbara
This week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) made waves in the scientific community by announcing a substantial $22 million grant awarded to UC Santa Barbara (UCSB). This generous six-year funding will establish the BioFoundry for Extreme and Exceptional Fungi, Archaea, and Bacteria (ExFAB), a pioneering collaboration involving UCSB, along with UC Riverside (UCR) and Cal Poly Pomona (CPP). ExFAB marks the advent of the nation’s first biofoundry dedicated to leveraging unexplored and untapped extreme microbes.
A Visionary Initiative
UCSB’s recognition is particularly significant as it stands out among only five universities receiving funding under NSF’s BioFoundry program, which distributed a total of $75 million in this cycle. Chancellor Henry T. Yang expressed the campus’s excitement about securing this visionary investment, emphasizing how it reflects the innovative capacity and research strength of UCSB.
“Our campus is thrilled to receive this visionary funding, which reflects the collaboration across disciplines to advance biotechnology and bioengineering,” said Yang.
Unlocking New Frontiers
The ExFAB initiative seeks to establish infrastructure that is unprecedented in academia, according to ExFAB Director Michelle O’Malley, a distinguished professor in chemical engineering and bioengineering at UCSB. The facility aims to open avenues for synthetic biology, concentrating on extreme microorganisms characterized by their unusual growth patterns and unique nutritional requisites.
"This funding enables us to build infrastructure that nobody, especially in academia, has had access to before," asserted O’Malley.
Navigating the World of Extreme Microbes
The importance of extreme microorganisms cannot be overstated. These unique microbes grow under conditions that defy standard laboratory environments—operating at extreme temperatures, unusual nutrient availability, and even anaerobic conditions. The ExFAB will provide a dedicated space for researchers to study these exceptional microbes, developing competitive biotechnological applications.
A Unique Focus for Synthetic Biology
O’Malley highlights the contrast between traditionally studied domesticated microbes and extreme microorganisms often overlooked in the biosciences current landscape. These extreme varieties boast valuable traits ideal for biotechnological applications, such as enzymes that can break down waste or metabolic pathways useful in drug synthesis. With ExFAB, researchers will finally have a platform to explore the potential of their peculiar microbial companions.
Research Themes Guiding Innovations
ExFAB concentrates on three pivotal themes—bioremediation, biosynthesis, and rules of life—to tackle pressing environmental problems. The center aims to innovate strategies for cleaning up PFAS chemicals, sustainably produce silica-based materials, and optimize carbon and nitrogen recycling in various ecosystems.
Championing Multidisciplinary Science
UCSB is no stranger to interdisciplinary science, boasting a robust reputation in promoting collaborative initiatives. Umesh Mishra, the dean of UCSB’s College of Engineering, echoed this sentiment, celebrating the grant as a means to unite vastly different scientific disciplines to yield significant advancements in biotechnology.
“This sizeable NSF award raises our profile and will serve as a focal point for continued investment in biotechnology and bioengineering at UCSB,” said Mishra.
Expanding Synthetic Biology’s Horizon
ExFAB co-director Ian Wheeldon from UCR added depth to the excitement around the grant, underscoring the goal of diversifying synthetic biology. Traditionally, the focus has been on a limited number of microbes, but ExFAB paves the way for scientists to engineer an array of unconventional microorganisms.
Education Meets Innovation
Beyond its ambitious research objectives, ExFAB aims to cultivate a skilled biotechnology workforce through unique educational programs. Collaborating with California State University (CSU), ExFAB will recruit graduate students for specialized internships, providing them with invaluable experiences in a research-intensive environment.
“It will create more pathways for students who may not feel represented in the field,” noted Jamie Snyder, an associate professor of biological sciences at CPP.
Investing in Future Leaders
The program is particularly mindful of diversity, engaging with students from Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) as part of its recruitment strategy. This initiative signifies a commitment to empowering underrepresented groups within the biotechnology workforce.
Laying the Groundwork for ExFAB
Months before applying for the NSF grant, UCSB had already begun equipping the ExFAB. O’Malley secured a $9.85 million grant from the Department of Defense to acquire a suite of robotic and analytical tools, signalling the university’s proactive approach to pioneer innovations in automated synthetic biology.
"This NSF award exponentially expands UCSB’s interdisciplinary research culture," emphasized Brad Chmelka, a professor of chemical engineering.
Management and Operations
The California Institute of Science and Innovation (CNSI) at UCSB will oversee ExFAB’s operations across all three participating campuses, ensuring that the initiative meets its ambitious objectives.
“ExFAB innovations will directly address some of the nation’s biggest challenges, supported by a capable workforce,” stated Craig Hawker, co-director at CNSI.
Engaging External Users
ExFAB has laid out plans to attract external users, offering access to its cutting-edge facilities in two ways: direct shipping of samples or on-site training with staff. This collaborative model aims to complete over 100 user projects in its initial six years, with a significant portion expected to come from external partnerships.
A Congressional Vote of Confidence
The announcement has also caught the attention of local policymakers. Congressman Salud Carbajal, a UCSB alumnus, voiced his enthusiasm for the NSF’s support. He believes that this initiative places UCSB at the forefront of bioscience research, bolstering job creation in the region.
“This investment will create good-paying high-tech jobs on the Central Coast,” remarked Carbajal, reinforcing California’s status as a global leader in research.
Conclusion: A New Era in Microbial Research
The launch of ExFAB at UCSB marks an exciting chapter in the realm of synthetic biology and biotechnology, promising to unlock the mysteries held within nature’s extreme microorganisms. With its cutting-edge facilities and collaborative spirit, it is poised to make significant contributions to environmental sustainability, educational opportunities, and the broader scientific community. As researchers dive into the unexplored world of extreme microbes, the potential for groundbreaking innovations is immense, setting a new standard for scientific exploration and application.
