Research Opportunity: DNA-Protein Epigenetic Chemistry Engineering (D-PECHE)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative proposals to demonstrate proof-of-concept for novel mechanisms for writing and erasing epigenetic base modifications in DNA. The goal of the effort is to develop novel methods of modifying DNA bases in living cells and validate the presence of new base modifications catalyzed in vitro. Key aspects of the project include: • Developing novel mechanisms for writing and erasing epigenetic base modifications in DNA • Validating the presence of new base modifications catalyzed in vitro • Demonstrating the ability to design DNA-modifying mechanisms to write and/or erase DNA base modifications • Detecting DNA modifications in vitro and demonstrating biocompatibility of targeted modification in host cell line • Developing assays to detect base modifications and establishing approaches to detect novel modifications in cells