Zymo Research and USC Dornsife College launched the inaugural BioFestival on February 11, 2025, a pioneering event dedicated to fostering scientific innovation, sustainability, and academic collaboration. As the leader in sample preparation technologies, Zymo Research is committed to empowering the next generation of scientists by providing them with the tools and funding they need to drive discovery. This event provided student researchers with a platform to showcase groundbreaking discoveries, engage with experts, and access critical scientific tools. The overwhelming enthusiasm from participants underscored the event’s success, sparking engaging discussions and new connections. Building on this momentum, BioFestival is expanding to Caltech, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, the University of Maryland, and beyond—reinforcing Zymo Research’s commitment to supporting universities worldwide.
Fueling Scientific Innovation & Sustainability
Scientific breakthroughs require not only innovative thinking but also strong institutional and industry support. BioFestival was designed with this mission in mind—to celebrate academic research, provide scientists with resources, and foster a collaborative environment that accelerates discovery.
At the heart of this initiative was the BioDisruptor Grant Competition, a challenge that put some of the brightest emerging scientists in the spotlight.
Students took center stage, presenting their work through two key avenues:
- Lightning Talks: Finalists captivated audiences with rapid-fire presentations, showcasing research in synthetic biology, biomedical engineering, and microbiology.
- Poster Presentations: Students showcased a diverse range of research topics, from genetic engineering to metabolic pathways, underscoring the breadth of scientific exploration taking place.
A distinguished panel of academic and industry leaders evaluated each project, awarding grants and Zymo Research’s cutting-edge scientific tools to accelerate research and expand access to essential resources.
Investing in Future Scientific Leaders
The grants awarded at BioFestival were more than just financial investments; they represented Zymo Research’s commitment to empowering the academic community and supporting research that has the potential to transform science.
Lightning Talk Winners:
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1st Place: Zachary Krieger – A Minimal Saccharomyces cerevisiae Chromosome
Minimal eukaryotic chromosomes were generated and tested in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to define the fundamental design principles of the simplest functional genome. This project provided a simplified platform upon which future research—such as the bioengineering of entirely novel organisms and the construction of new genomes—can be built.
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2nd Place: William Fried – Polθ Inhibitor Suppresses PARP Inhibitor Resistance
Through structural and biochemical validation, this project discovered that a novel small-molecule inhibitor targeting DNA Polymerase Theta (PolQ), a key enzyme in double-strand break repair, functions by trapping PolQ on DNA at the site of damage. This inhibitor induces synthetic lethality in cancer cells deficient in homologous recombination (HR) and overcomes resistance observed in cell lines treated with PARP inhibitors, making it a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
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3rd Place: Riva Verma – Quantitative Visualization of Insulin Secretory Granules
The biophysical properties of insulin secretory granules (ISGs) in pancreatic beta cells (PBCs) were cataloged using soft X-ray tomography (SXT) imaging. Unsupervised machine learning algorithms grouped ISGs by spatial density, transforming structural data into multi-dimensional visualizations to better understand cellular behavior and its role in diseases like diabetes.
Poster Award Winners:
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Most Sustainable Research: Muchen (Betty) Liu – Mechanism of Mitotic Spindle Size Scaling
Using Xenopus egg cycling extract as a model system, the project confirmed that cell size-dependent scaling of cellular structures during embryogenesis can occur without a plasma membrane.
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Most Disruptive Research: Alexandra Christensen – Transforming Yeast Mitochondria
Fusion proteins were engineered by combining S. cerevisiae OM14 and OM45 with the bacterial competence-associated DNA-binding protein ComEA, aiming to create competent mitochondria in engineered yeast strains. These fusion proteins are designed to enhance mitochondrial transformation efficiency, facilitating critical research applications such as developing therapies for mitochondrial genetic disorders and synthesizing designer organelles.
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Most Innovative Research: Sakibur Rahat – Microbial Electrochemical Reactors for Enhanced Energy Transfer
A novel six-chamber microbial electrochemical reactor (MER) was designed to enhance bioelectricity production by harnessing interspecies metabolic exchange driven by synergistic interactions within the gut microbiome.
Zymo Research’s contributions went beyond funding—awardees also gained access to Zymo’s cutting-edge sample prep and microbiome analysis solutions, helping them accelerate discoveries in genomics, epigenetics, and synthetic biology.
Bringing Science to Life: Interactive Booths
Beyond the competition, BioFestival transformed science into an immersive experience. Students and researchers engaged in hands-on activities, from a magnetic "fishing" DNA extraction game at the Nucleic Acid Purification booth to a plasmid ring toss at the Synthetic Biology booth. Attendees could test their knowledge in a Jeopardy-style microbiome challenge, race against a robot in a pipetting competition, and participate in the Sustainability Station, where they shared ideas for reducing environmental impact in the lab.
Industry partner PacBio also joined the event, showcasing long-read sequencing technologies and sparking discussions on the future of genomics.
Why BioFestival Matters
As a dedicated partner to academic institutions, Zymo Research believes in fostering scientific discovery at the university level. Through initiatives like BioFestival, we equip students and researchers with the tools, knowledge, and funding needed to push the boundaries of science.
This is just the beginning. With upcoming BioFestivals at leading universities across the country, Zymo Research remains committed to supporting the academic community, advancing innovation, and promoting sustainability in research.
Want BioFestival at your institution? Contact us at biofestival@zymoresearch.com