The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Use-Inspired Acceleration of Protein Design (USPRD) initiative aims to push the boundaries of protein design technology and its applications, extending beyond human therapeutics to include advanced materials, biomanufacturing, agriculture, food security, environmental solutions, sustainability, and addressing climate issues. By leveraging advancements in macromolecular modeling, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-throughput characterization, USPRD seeks to enhance the predictability and design of proteins and enzyme families. This comprehensive approach includes creating robust models for the dynamic nature of protein structures, developing infrastructure for protein design (including tools, datasets, and services), fostering collaboration and accessibility, and supporting the ecosystem with standards, roadmaps, open-source resources, and workforce development. The initiative features two tracks focusing on small binders and enzyme design, respectively, driven by an Ideas Lab process to foster innovation and collaborative breakthroughs.