Can machine learning help stimulate the production of algae-based biologics?This is the new research question for Seattle biotech startups Lumen Biosciences Google aims to answer.
company Announce Collaborate and release on Wednesday A new paper This shows how machine learning can double the spirulina-based protein production capacity.
Lumen also stated that it has received US$2 million in research funding from the Department of Energy, which is led by Lumen’s head of informatics Caitlin Gambling And Google Accelerated Science Engineer Drew Bryant, And received partial support from the Gates Foundation.
Lumen co-founder Jim Roberts said: “The combination of Google’s machine learning and our Spirulina-based therapeutic production, these two pioneering innovations brings us closer to a fully optimized approach that may be a potentially devastating global disease. Have a major impact.” In a statement.
Lumen makes protein in algae. Spirulina is like a small bioreactor that can produce a large number of candidate therapeutic proteins. This manufacturing system is much cheaper than the industrial-scale manufacturing facilities normally used to manufacture human cells for biologics.
Lumen raised $16 million in Series B financing in September. The company also recently announced a joint project with the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and a $14.5 million project. Carbohydrate-X, A non-profit organization that supports the development of new antibacterial drugs. In addition, Lumen recently received nearly $4 million in grants from the U.S. Army to develop potential therapies for COVID-19.
Lumen said last month that it would expand its manufacturing operations to a former bakery near Wallingford, Seattle.