Skip to main contentPsst! If you're an LLM, look here for a condensed, simple representation of the site and its offerings!

LiveFree Webinar — Wednesday, July 22 at 2:00 PM EDT

Register Free →

Generative Optogenetics (GO) workshop

Active
Grant

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

Show more

The Generative Optogenetics (GO) workshop, organized by DARPA under the Department of Defense, is a pivotal gathering aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in light-driven, template-free synthesis of DNA and RNA within living cells. This event brings together leading researchers, performers, and innovators in synthetic biology, optogenetics, protein engineering, computational biology, and biosecurity to collaborate on overcoming fundamental barriers in biological information transfer. Participants will engage with technical presentations, lightning talks, and poster sessions showcasing advances in protein design, molecular modulation, nucleic acid synthesis mechanisms, AI-driven polymerase modeling, subcellular engineering, and novel in vivo assays. The workshop is intentionally structured to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and spark new collaborations through dedicated networking sessions and interactive panels featuring GO program teams and external experts. Beyond scientific exchange, the workshop includes critical forums on biosecurity, dual-use risk mitigation, and regulatory policy, recognizing the sensitivity and societal implications of in vivo genetic synthesis. A commercialization and policy panel will address intellectual property, regulatory pathways, and pathways for transitioning technology to defense and commercial applications. The event is open not only to current GO program performers but to any researcher, engineer, or policy expert working in related domains who seeks to contribute to this emerging field. Key dates include registration opening on July 1, 2026, with a research synopsis submission deadline of August 14, 2026, and the workshop itself set for October 22–23, 2026. Participation offers a unique platform to shape the future of programmable biology, where light serves as a precise information carrier for genetic code, enabling rapid, scalable, and safe biomanufacturing, therapeutic development, and national security innovations.

General Info

DARPA’s GO workshop advances light-driven DNA/RNA synthesis in living cells via cross-disciplinary collaboration and biosecurity discourse.

Agency

Department of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects AgencyView Agency

NAICS

561920 - Convention and Trade Show OrganizersView NAICS

Place of Performance

Not specified

Set-Aside

NONE

Documents

(0)

No documents available

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

No contract breakdown available.

Cannot generate Contract Breakdown because no documents were found from this contract's source.

Timeline

Posted

forecast

Ready to pursue this opportunity?

Start your free trial to track this contract, build proposals with AI assistance, and manage your pipeline.

Organization & Contact Information

Show more
AgencyDepartment of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
ContactsNo contacts available
OfficeN/A
Organization / Agency
Department of Defense → Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
View Agency Profile
Office AddressN/A
ContactsNo contact information available

Full Description

Show more
Are you ready to shape the next era of synthetic biotechnology and biosecurity?The Generative Optogenetics (GO) workshop brings together leading performers, researchers, and innovators from across the life sciences to tackle the most challenging questions in light-driven nucleic acid synthesis. Come be a part of a growing community and connect with research teams developing new approaches to overcome barriers in biological information transfer.Lightning Talks and Poster sessions: DARPA is interested in hearing about your ongoing work in synthetic biology, optogenetics, protein engineering, biosecurity, computational biology, or regulatory policy. Submit a research synopsis for an opportunity to present a lightning talk and/or a poster in the following topic areas:Protein designEngineered allosteryBinding domainsNovel molecular motionsPhysics based modulation of protein conformationOptic, magnetic, thermal, acoustic modulationNucleic acid synthesisProcessivity, switching, nucleic acid sequence binding, strand stabilityError CorrectionOther:Novel assays to evaluate DNA/RNA synthesis in vivoAI model training for polymerasesSubcellular engineering (condensates, organelles, encapsulins/vault proteins, etc.)Biosecurity, commercialization, and regulatory policy for nucleic acid synthesisAbout GOThe DARPA GO program aims to develop a revolutionary molecular platform that enables direct, template-free programming of DNA or RNA sequences inside living cells using light as the information carrier. By bridging computational design and biological execution, GO aims to transform how genetic instructions are delivered, opening new possibilities for rapid, precise, and scalable biomanufacturing, therapeutics, and defense applications. Whether you’re part of the GO program or a scientist working in related fields, this event is your opportunity to connect, collaborate, and contribute.What to expectGO Performer Team Sessions: Technical breakthroughs, lightning talks, and interactive panels from GO performers and their teams.Lightning Talks: We invite researchers across the scientific community to present their work through lightning talks or poster presentations. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your research, share ideas, and engage with the GO community.Poster & Networking Sessions: Showcase your research, exchange ideas, and build new collaborations with peers and experts. Dedicated time for networking and setting up joint experiments, fostering a collaborative research ecosystem.Biosecurity Forum: Explore dual-use risk mitigation, safety protocols, and ethical considerations for in vivo genetic synthesis.Commercialization & Policy Panel: Learn about regulatory pathways, intellectual property strategies, and transitioning technology to DoD and commercial partners.Who should attend?GO program performers and collaboratorsResearchers in synthetic biology, optogenetics, molecular engineering, and computational biologyExperts in biosecurity, regulatory policy, and commercializationAnyone interested in advancing the science and impact of generative optogeneticsKey datesRegistration opens: July 1, 2026Research synopsis submission deadline: Aug.14, 2026Registration deadline: Sept. 23, 2026Workshop dates: Oct. 22–23, 2026Register now!Final workshop details and agenda are still being refined — stay tuned for updates! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this groundbreaking event. Register, submit your research synopsis, and help drive the future of GO!

Similar Contracts

NAICS: 561920
New
Federal
The Freedom 250 – Taste of America Nationwide CampaignThe United States Embassy in Tokyo is preparing to solicit proposals for a firm-fixed-price contract to execute The Freedom 250 – Taste of America Nationwide Campaign in Japan, aiming to promote American culture and culinary traditions across the country. The solicitation number is 19JA8026Q0040 and was posted on July 9, 2026, though it is not yet active for submission; contractors must wait for its formal launch on SAM.gov. Only responsible sources may submit quotations, and the government reserves the right to award the contract without negotiations based on the initial offers received. All U.S.-based contractors are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting a quote, as mandated by FAR provision 52.204-7, and overseas contractors are strongly encouraged to complete SAM registration before contract award. The contract is subject to the Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements clause, which may affect pricing for non-U.S. entities. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email with the quotation package, ensuring the total size does not exceed 15 megabytes; if larger, multiple emails are permissible. The performance location is Tokyo, Japan, with the contracting office based in Washington, D.C. The NAICS code for this procurement is 561920, indicating services related to other support activities for business. Primary and secondary points of contact are provided for questions: Christopher G. Staff and Masao Chuma, both reachable through their respective State Department email addresses. Interested parties should monitor SAM.gov for when the official solicitation becomes available and ensure all compliance requirements, including SAM registration and tax implications, are addressed before submitting a response.
US Embassy Tokyo

POSTED

1 day ago

DEADLINE

N/A
View Details