# I-Corps: Translation potential of an engineered strain of Vibrio natriegens as a chassis for low resource, scalable molecular biology

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · Cornell University (NY) · $50,000

## Abstract

This I-Corps project is based on the development of an engineered strain of a marine bacterium, Vibrio natriegens, that has been developed to serve as a host organism to scale biotechnology and bioproduction. Microbes that are commonly used today as host organisms for biotechnology and bioproduction are chemically competent, meaning they are chemically treated to take in DNA. Though commonplace, this process makes cells fragile, requiring investments in equipment and infrastructure to utilize them. In contrast, Vibrio natriegens is naturally competent, meaning it will take in DNA without any chemical intervention.  Vibrio natriegens is the fastest growing organism on Earth and does not cause disease. This bacterial strain has been engineered to enhance scalability and ease of handling to allow for integration with fully automated systems. This scalability and each of handling may accelerate modification and testing and improve protein biomanufacturing as well as the ability to synthesize proteins of interest. These capabilities may shorten the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle and improve the speed and simplicity of workflows. With increased speed in these processes, the time and cost of pharmaceutical and vaccine development may be reduced, and new biological solutions to current problems may be developed more rapidly and easily.

This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potent

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2533076
- **Awardee organization:** Cornell University (NY)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G56PUALJ3KT5
- **PI:** Buz Barstow
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** Synthetic biology
- **Estimated total:** $50,000
- **Funds obligated:** $50,000
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 06/01/2025 → 11/30/2026

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2533076

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2533076, I-Corps: Translation potential of an engineered strain of Vibrio natriegens as a chassis for low resource, scalable molecular biology. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-07 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2533076. Licensed CC0.

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