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Engineering and dissecting the synthetic non-dividing-but-active state of hybrid cell-materials

Award Number: R35GM142788
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2031

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Engineering and dissecting the synthetic non-dividing-but-active state of hybrid cell-materials - Project Summary Engineering and dissecting the synthetic non-dividing-but-active state of hybrid cell-materials Cell therapies fail because >90% of transplanted cells die within a week, and surviving cells could grow uncontrollably, demanding strategies that sustain function without proliferation. To overcome the challenges, we created “Cyborg Cells” by polymerizing PEG hydrogels inside diverse bacterial and human cells. The cells do not replicate yet maintain wild-type metabolism, gene expression, and secretion for months. This materials- driven and efficient conversion endows cells with resistance to oxidative, hypoxic, apoptotic, and immune stress while permitting durable engraftment in vivo. The project has three goals. Goal 1 will investigate the links between intracellular gelation and molecular transport, omics shifts, and protein synthesis. Goal 2 will build growth-decoupled platforms that continuously manufacture viruses, antibodies, and extracellular vesicles. Goal 3 will dissect the structural and molecular determinants of Cyborg-Cell resilience under various stresses. By uncoupling metabolism from growth, the work reframes cellular differentiation, establishes a new quasi-living state, and creates non-replicating bioreactors that outperform existing methods. The renewal leverages patented technology, rigorously benchmarked data, and clinical collaborations spanning broad biomedical applications, positioning Cyborg Cells to transform medicine and biomanufacturing in the next five years.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $408,772 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	6	5/14/2026	COMPETING CONTINUATION	$408,772
														Subtotal = $408,772

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $449,847 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	5	8/25/2025	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$68,839
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	5	8/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,008
														Subtotal = $449,847

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $484,184 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	002	4	7/5/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$86,051
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	4	7/3/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,008
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	5/30/2024	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$17,125
														Subtotal = $484,184

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $630,817 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	3	8/14/2023	SUPPLEMENT FOR EXPANSION	$249,809
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	6/26/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,008
														Subtotal = $630,817

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $381,008 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	7/25/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$381,008
														Subtotal = $381,008

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $381,008 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS	1850 RESEARCH PARK DR, STE 300	DAVIS	CA	95618	YOLO	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/10/2021	NEW	$381,008
														Subtotal = $381,008

Grand Total All Awards = $2,735,636

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Engineering and dissecting the synthetic non-dividing-but-active state of hybrid cell-materials

Award Number: R35GM142788

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2031

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