Seeking AI enzyme-design and glycoanalytics non-German partners

The planned project aims to establish a cross-disciplinary technology platform that combines computational enzyme discovery, cell-free high-throughput screening, and advanced glycoanalytics for the development of new biotechnological solutions in the bioeconomy.

The project is based on an integrated design-build-test-learn workflow connecting:

• AI-supported enzyme mining, prioritization, and protein engineering.

• High-throughput experimental screening using cell-free expression and compartmentalized assay formats.

• Advanced glycoanalytics for structural characterization and data-driven feedback into enzyme design.

• Analytical-scale validation of promising biocatalysts on industrially relevant substrate classes.

The consortium already includes partners with expertise in industrial biocatalysis, enzyme assay development, and high-throughput cell-free screening. To strengthen the proposal, two additional non-German partner profiles are being sought.

Partner type 1: AI / computational enzyme-design partner

A company or research-driven SME with strong capabilities in one or more of the following areas:

• AI-guided enzyme discovery and sequence mining.

• Structure-based protein engineering.

• Enzyme-substrate interaction modelling.

• Library design and prioritization for experimental screening.

• Integration of experimental data into iterative design cycles.

The preferred partner should have experience with challenging enzyme classes and an interest in contributing to an industrially oriented platform project.

Partner type 2: Glycoanalytics partner

A company, CRO, technology SME, or applied research organization with advanced expertise in glycan and glycoconjugate analysis, ideally including several of the following:

• Released glycan profiling.

• Intact glycopeptide and glycoprotein analysis (optional).

• LC-MS/MS-based or similar glycoproteomics or glycomics (optional).

• Orthogonal structural confirmation methods.

Targeted quantitative workflows for complex biological or industrial matrices.

Data interpretation linking molecular structure to technical or functional properties.

The ideal partner should be interested not only in providing analytics, but in co-developing application-relevant workflows and exploitable data packages.

What the consortium offers

The project offers participation in a highly complementary consortium at the interface of industrial biotechnology, protein engineering, cell-free systems, and glycoscience. The expected outcome is a transferable enabling platform with strong follow-up potential in industrial R&D services, technology licensing, and future product or process development.

Confidentiality

To protect the commercial and IP potential of the concept, this public partner-search profile describes only the enabling technology framework and desired partner competencies. Confidential information such as exact substrate choices, detailed target molecules, proprietary workflows, and specific exploitation concepts will only be discussed bilaterally after initial mutual interest and, where appropriate, under NDA.