# A universal droplet microfluidic platform for ultrahigh-throughput biocatalyst evolution

> **NIH NIH R42** · VIVID BIOINNOVATIONS, PBC · 2023 · $817,050

## Abstract

Abstract
The advance of biotechnology is dependent on approaches for rapidly iterating through genetically engineered
enzymes and pathways. While computational and gene synthesis techniques have seen considerable
innovation in the last few decades, screening variants for desired activities has lagged behind, with few notable
advances. Indeed, microwell plates, a nearly 60-year-old technology, remain the dominant tool. The objective
of Fluid Discovery is to transform this field by introducing a novel screening paradigm based on precision
nanoliter fluid handling; this groundbreaking approach will increase the scale of screens that can be performed
by 100x while driving down costs. In addition to a fundamentally new hardware architecture for scalable
screening, our approach implements label-free mass spectrometry and computational techniques to enable
discovery of unanticipated enzyme activities and enhancements. Fluid Discovery is founded by the inventor of
the key technologies and, thus, is in a prime position to advance this space and become a commercial
success. This grant will fuel the development of the first alpha prototype that can be run by early access
customers, to illustrate the utility of the technology, its appropriateness for industrial research and
development, and its maturity for the market; all of which will be necessary to raise private funding for
commercial scale up. Our team includes experts in pharmaceutical development (Dr. Prince),
commercialization (Dr. Sunkara), and science and technology (Dr. Abate). This team has a demonstrated track
record of commercial success, having built companies with current value >$1 billion. Fluid Discovery’s
technology will allow engineering campaigns infeasible with today’s technology at a price point accessible to
biotech startups and academic research labs, and with transformative efficiencies attractive to Big Pharma.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10705725
- **Project number:** 5R42GM143989-03
- **Recipient organization:** VIVID BIOINNOVATIONS, PBC
- **Principal Investigator:** Adam R. Abate
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $817,050
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-25 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10705725

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10705725, A universal droplet microfluidic platform for ultrahigh-throughput biocatalyst evolution (5R42GM143989-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10705725. Licensed CC0.

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