DARPA’s Biological Technologies Office seeks to gain a better understanding of biotechnological advancements and gaps that could contribute to the ability to synthesize de novo DNA and RNA sequences in vivo where the nucleic acid sequence is precisely defined by patterns of physical stimulation (ie optical, mechanical, sound, electrical, thermal etc) rather than using a DNA/RNA template strand.
The ultimate aim is for this template-free, de novo synthesis mechanism to produce DNA/RNA that can be translated into functional proteins.
Responses to this RFI are due 20 March 2025 via email to DARPA-SN-25-46@darpa.mil .
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RFI – Generative Optogenetics: DARPA-SN-25-46+FINAL
