Mizzou-led team selected for U.S. Department of Energy’s inaugural Genesis Mission

July 22, 2026
Contact: Janese Heavin, [email protected]
Photo by Michael Boles

A University of Missouri-led research team has been selected to participate in the U.S. Department of Energy's inaugural Genesis Mission, a nationwide initiative using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery. The project is entitled "Toward a U.S. Institute for Cell Design: AI-Driven Computer-Ready Synthetic Cells with Quantum Integration."

Led by Roseanna Zia, the Dave Wollersheim Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Mizzou, the multi-institution team will develop and test an AI-enabled workflow for designing synthetic cells for advanced biomanufacturing and biosecurity, enabling capabilities such as on-demand molecular-scale fabrication of valuable chemicals and materials.

The team will combine whole-cell modeling, high-performance computing, synthetic-cell construction and advanced experimental measurements in a closed-loop design-build-measure-model process. The process will be accelerated using artificial intelligence tools to move synthetic-cell engineering beyond slow trial-and-error experimentation toward a predictive engineering discipline.

Zia will lead the project which includes six partner institutions: the University of Minnesota, Stanford University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, the J. Craig Venter Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Princeton University.

AI will be integrated throughout the workflow. Graph neural networks and related machine-learning approaches will be used to accelerate multiscale whole-cell modeling, support genome and cell design, and improve analysis of cryo-electron tomography, visual proteomics and live-cell imaging data. The team will also evaluate where AI provides a measurable advantage in prediction accuracy, computational tractability and experimental interpretation.

"Our long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive workflow for producing programmable synthetic cells that can serve as the living factories of the future," Zia said. "No single laboratory can build that capability alone. Our team is bringing together cell construction, whole-cell modeling, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced measurement so that predictions can be tested experimentally and experimental results can continuously improve the models."

The Genesis Mission combines AI, high-performance computing and scientific expertise to accelerate scientific discovery across the Department of Energy's mission areas.

Mizzou's project is among 168 university-led projects selected following the largest response to a funding opportunity in the department's history.

"The Genesis Mission represents a bold new approach to scientific discovery, bringing together artificial intelligence, advanced computing and outstanding researchers from across the country," Thomas Spencer, Mizzou's vice chancellor for research, said. "We are excited that Mizzou will be part of this effort and that Dr. Zia's pioneering work on AI-enabled tools for engineering synthetic cells will help advance discoveries with potential impacts in biotechnology, medicine and beyond."

MU College of Engineering