At the UC San Diego Future Biomanufacturing Center, we advance systems-level approaches to the most pressing biomanufacturing challenges. 

Our cross-discipline expertise includes:

Strain Design and Optimization

We build the biological cell factories that power the future of biomanufacturing for the emerging domestic circular economy. Using advanced synthetic biology and computational approaches, we design production strains with the aim of competing with traditional industries.

• From Microbes to Products
  Our genetic circuit, pathway, and strain design and build capabilities allow us to program microbes for efficient and resilient production of desired products.
   
• Real-time Decision Making
  We are developing new ways for engineered microbes to make real-time decisions in different industrial-performance environments.
   
• Strain Heterogeneity
  We are also pioneers in the understanding of strain-to-strain differences in microbes (strain heterogeneity) in industrial biotechnology environments. We leverage this expertise to design the bioproduction modalities of the future.

For Industry
For industry partners, this will mean access to highly customized microbial systems that deliver higher yields, greater efficiency, and predictable performance at commercial scale. Learn more about partnership opportunities.
 

Our Faculty Experts
Our strain engineering and optimization programs are guided by UC San Diego faculty members Andrew Bartko, Adam Feist, Jeff Hasty, Sara Jackrel, Rob Knight, Yanran Li, Bernhard Palsson, Jonathan Shurin and Karsten Zengler.

These researchers bring unparalleled expertise in genetic circuit design, microbial ecology, metabolic modeling, and laboratory evolution. Their combined skill set allows us to tackle the most challenging strain development goals with creativity and precision.

Lab Automation and Artificial Intelligence

Automation and AI Combined
We combine the power of automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to make breakthroughs in biomanufacturing happen faster than ever before.

Our high throughput platforms, advanced sequencing technologies, and precision microfluidics work hand in hand with predictive models that learn and improve with every experiment. This approach allows us to quickly pinpoint the best genetic designs, optimize production pathways, and fine tune process conditions to achieve exceptional results.

Solutions that Scale
Whether responding to new feedstocks, market opportunities, or urgent environmental challenges, our innovation engine never rests. With lab automation and AI capabilities, we deliver solutions that are faster, more reliable, and ready to scale.

For Industry
We focus on research relevance for our industry and research partners. Every data point feeds back into a smarter system, turning months of trial and error into days of targeted progress. Learn more about partnership opportunities.

Our Faculty
These efforts are led by a multidisciplinary team of UC San Diego professors that includes Adam Feist, Jeff Hasty, Rob Knight, Bernhard Palsson and Karsten Zengler. This team combines world-leading expertise in computational biology, microbiome science, laboratory automation, systems engineering, and advanced analytics. Their collaborative approach drives technological advances. The team is further strengthened by extensive entrepreneurial experience, which is critical for translating innovations into real world applications.

High-performance Product Formulation

From Innovations to Products
Our work does not stop at the microbe. We turn biological innovations into quality products with real impact. Renewable polymers, biodegradable foams, and living materials that can break down pollutants or adapt to their environment are just three examples.

Materials Science, Polymer Chemistry and More
Industry collaborators benefit from our deep expertise in materials science, polymer chemistry, and additive manufacturing. We can tailor hardness, flexibility, and functionality to match exact specifications, all while using renewable feedstocks and ensuring responsible end of life management.

For Industry
Our research partners can see their support turned into products that supercharge the circular economy, secure domestic supply chains, and open doors to entirely new markets — while making the world cleaner and healthier. Learn more about partnership opportunities.

Our Faculty
The product formulation team is led by UC San Diego professors Michael Burkart, Jon Pokorski and Nathan Romero. This team bring decades of experience in polymer synthesis, materials engineering, and the creation of functional biocomposites. Their leadership drives the creation of new products that meet rigorous technical standards and align with the Center’s mission to power the domestic industrial base for the cost-competitive circular economy of tomorrow.