# Synthesis at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology

> **NIH NIH R35** · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · 2024 · $732,320

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
This proposal explores three major aspects of synthetic biology- all under the related theme of
the evolution of life: a look forward into evolution by creating organisms with an expanded
genetic code, and a look back into evolution by exploring the evolution of mitochondria in a well-
defined “synthetic” endosymbiont system, and by exploring one possible mechanism for the
transition from the RNA to DNA world through the generation and characterization of bacteria
with chimeric DNA-RNA genomes. Specifically, we will genetically encode D-amino acids in
bacteria and create and apply a genetically encoded tool to study protein folding/unfolding on a
sub-microsecond timescale; we will begin to minimize our bacterial endosymbiont genome by
deleting metabolic and cell wall biosynthetic genes, as well as exploring those factors that
contribute to the stability of this chimeric system; and create a biorthogonal replication system
and use it to explore those factors that allow the incorporation of large numbers of
ribonucleotides into bacterial DNA.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10806186
- **Project number:** 5R35GM145323-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** PETER G SCHULTZ
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $732,320
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10806186

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10806186, Synthesis at the Interface of Chemistry and Biology (5R35GM145323-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10806186. Licensed CC0.

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