The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Biological Technologies Office (BTO), has released a new program solicitation for Generative Optogenetics (GO), a bold, high-risk, high-reward research effort aimed at redefining how genetic information is delivered to living cells. Announced on December 19, 2025, this solicitation reflects DARPA’s continued investment in foundational biological technologies that could transform medicine, biotechnology manufacturing, and national security. At a high level, the GO program seeks to create a fundamentally new interface between digital genetic design tools and living systems by enabling the massless transmission of genetic instructions using light.
At the core of the GO program is DARPA’s vision to overcome longstanding limitations in DNA and RNA synthesis. Current approaches rely on physically delivering nucleic acids into cells and are constrained by cost, speed, scalability, and sequence length. GO aims to eliminate these barriers by developing a protein-based system that operates inside living cells and synthesizes nucleic acids directly in response to optical signals, unlocking unprecedented control over cellular behavior with spatial and temporal precision.
Solicitation Overview and Technical Objectives
The GO program is structured around the development of a nucleic acid compiler (NAC), a protein complex expressed in vivo that converts optical signals, such as specific wavelengths of light, into template-free synthesis of DNA or RNA. DARPA envisions the NAC as a molecular machine capable of translating light-based inputs into genetic sequences that can be immediately processed by the cell’s native transcription and translation machinery.
All proposers must address Research Objective 1 (RO1), De Novo Synthesis, which focuses on establishing the core capability to synthesize DNA or RNA inside living cells without a nucleic acid template. This requires advances in multiplexed optogenetics, precise enzymatic polymerization, and seamless integration of multiple protein domains into a functional holoenzyme. Proposers may also elect to address Research Objective 2 (RO2), Error Mitigation, which seeks to incorporate mechanisms that detect and reduce synthesis errors, enabling longer and higher-fidelity genetic sequences. Importantly, RO2 proposals are only permitted if RO1 is fully addressed.
DARPA will execute GO as a two-phase program spanning 42 months. Phase 1, lasting 12 months, focuses on de-risking and refining molecular components and integration strategies, culminating in a Concept Design Review (CoDR) at month nine. Phase 2, lasting 30 months, emphasizes full system integration and demonstration of NAC functionality in living cells. The acquisition strategy follows a staged process beginning with written abstracts, followed by government-invited oral proposal packages, and culminating in Phase 1 awards.
Key Dates for Proposers
Organizations interested in pursuing GO funding should take note of the following critical dates:
- Proposer Workshop: January 7, 2026
DARPA-hosted event providing program overview and an opportunity for real-time questions and teaming discussions. - Questions Due: January 12, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)
Deadline for submitting clarification questions to DARPA. - Abstracts Due: January 16, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)
Five-page abstracts required as the first step in the competitive process. - Oral Presentations: By invitation only
Estimated approximately 29 days after abstract submission, if requested by the Government.
Funding and Award Information
DARPA anticipates making multiple awards under this solicitation using Other Transaction (OT) agreements for Prototype projects. For Phase 1, expected funding levels are $1.7 million for proposals addressing RO1 only, and $1.99 million for proposals addressing both RO1 and RO2. Phase 1 awards will have a 12-month period of performance, with DARPA anticipating multiple performers advancing to Phase 2, which will extend for an additional 30 months, subject to negotiation and successful progress.
Advancing Human Health Through GO
While GO is positioned as a foundational technology program, its implications for human health are significant. By enabling rapid, precise, and remote programming of living cells, GO could dramatically accelerate the development of advanced therapeutics, cell-based medicines, and on-demand biomanufacturing. The ability to transmit genetic instructions without physical delivery could one day support personalized medicine, distributed manufacturing of biologics, and novel approaches to disease treatment that are faster, more scalable, and more resilient than today’s methods.
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