Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 12 31
Apply for DARPA BAA 12 31
- The DARPA Defense Sciences Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Butyrylcholinesterase Expression in Plants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.910 Research and Technology Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 21, 2012 and posted on Feb 16, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 17, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
DARPA (through its Defense Sciences Office) issued a discretionary research funding opportunity, DARPA BAA 12-31, titled "Butyrylcholinesterase Expression in Plants." The focus is on basic research that can prove, in a practical and measurable way, that recombinant butyrylcholinesterase (rBuChE) can be produced using a Nicotiana benthamiana plant-based expression system and that the resulting product matches the pharmacokinetic profile of plasma-derived human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE). In other words, DARPA is not simply looking for any plant-made version of BuChE; it is specifically looking for a plant-produced recombinant version that behaves in the body like the human enzyme obtained from blood plasma, especially in terms of how long it circulates and how it is processed after administration.
The strategic purpose behind the work is to establish technical precedent for using the Nicotiana benthamiana platform as a fast, scalable manufacturing approach for a pre-exposure therapeutic "bioscavenger" against organophosphate nerve agents. BuChE is considered a bioscavenger because it can bind and neutralize certain toxic organophosphates before they inhibit critical enzymes in the nervous system. DARPA is interested in a pre-exposure countermeasure concept, meaning a protective therapy administered ahead of potential exposure, where having a rapidly deployable and scalable production method could be important for surge needs. The plant expression approach is highlighted because it is widely discussed as a potentially rapid biomanufacturing route compared with traditional plasma collection or some conventional cell-based manufacturing systems, provided that the resulting recombinant protein meets the necessary functional and pharmacokinetic benchmarks.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was posted on February 16, 2012 (created March 21, 2012), with an original closing date of April 26, 2012 and a revised closing date of May 17, 2012. The program later archived on July 17, 2012. The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development, and it is listed under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). The solicitation indicates multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other procurement contracts, suggesting DARPA wanted flexibility in how it structured awards depending on the nature of the proposed work and the level of anticipated government involvement.
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning the competition was open to a wide range of applicant types (for example, academic institutions, companies, nonprofits, or other entities), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement. There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement noted. The anticipated performance period for funded efforts was 12 months, reinforcing that DARPA was aiming for a focused, time-bounded demonstration rather than a long multi-year development program. For issues accessing the complete announcement, the point of contact listed was the BAA Coordinator.
FAQs: DARPA BAA 12-31 - Butyrylcholinesterase Expression in Plants
What is the name and identifier of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is DARPA BAA 12-31, titled "Butyrylcholinesterase Expression in Plants," issued by DARPA through its Defense Sciences Office.
What kind of work is DARPA seeking under this announcement?
DARPA is seeking basic research that can demonstrate, in a practical and measurable way, that recombinant butyrylcholinesterase (rBuChE) can be produced using a Nicotiana benthamiana plant-based expression system and that the resulting product matches the pharmacokinetic profile of plasma-derived human butyrylcholinesterase (hBuChE).
Is the goal simply to produce BuChE in plants?
No. The emphasis is not on producing just any plant-made BuChE. DARPA is specifically looking for a plant-produced recombinant BuChE that behaves in the body like the human enzyme obtained from blood plasma, particularly regarding how long it circulates and how it is processed after administration.
What specific plant platform is named in the solicitation?
The solicitation specifies the Nicotiana benthamiana plant-based expression system as the platform of interest.
What does DARPA mean by matching the "pharmacokinetic profile" of plasma-derived hBuChE?
Based on the announcement description, it means the plant-produced rBuChE should show similar behavior in the body to plasma-derived human BuChE, especially in terms of circulation time and how the product is processed after administration.
What is the strategic purpose of this research effort?
The stated strategic purpose is to establish technical precedent for using the Nicotiana benthamiana platform as a fast, scalable manufacturing approach for a pre-exposure therapeutic "bioscavenger" against organophosphate nerve agents.
What is BuChE and why is it described as a "bioscavenger"?
BuChE is described as a bioscavenger because it can bind and neutralize certain toxic organophosphates before they inhibit critical enzymes in the nervous system.
What type of threat is this work intended to address?
The opportunity is framed around countering organophosphate nerve agents, using BuChE as a pre-exposure therapeutic countermeasure.
What does "pre-exposure countermeasure" mean in this context?
It refers to a protective therapy administered ahead of potential exposure. The announcement describes a concept where a therapy could be given before exposure to organophosphate nerve agents, rather than after an exposure occurs.
Why is DARPA interested in a plant-based expression approach for this program?
The announcement highlights plant expression as a widely discussed potentially rapid biomanufacturing route compared with traditional plasma collection or some conventional cell-based manufacturing systems, provided the recombinant protein meets the necessary functional and pharmacokinetic benchmarks.
What is DARPA ultimately trying to prove through this effort?
Based on the description, DARPA is trying to prove that rBuChE can be made in Nicotiana benthamiana in a way that is practically measurable and that the produced enzyme matches the pharmacokinetic behavior of plasma-derived human BuChE, supporting the idea that this platform could be used for fast, scalable production for surge needs.
Which DARPA office issued the announcement?
The announcement was issued through DARPA's Defense Sciences Office.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
It was posted on February 16, 2012 (created March 21, 2012). The original closing date was April 26, 2012, and the revised closing date was May 17, 2012.
Is the opportunity still open?
No. The program later archived on July 17, 2012.
What funding activity category is associated with this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
What CFDA number is associated with this solicitation?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).
What types of award instruments could DARPA use for this program?
The solicitation indicates multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, and other procurement contracts. This suggests DARPA wanted flexibility in structuring awards depending on the proposed work and the expected level of government involvement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was open to a wide range of applicant types (such as academic institutions, companies, nonprofits, or other entities), subject to any clarifications in the full announcement.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement was noted in the provided description.
What was the anticipated performance period?
The anticipated performance period for funded efforts was 12 months, indicating a focused, time-bounded demonstration effort rather than a long multi-year development program.
Who was the point of contact for issues accessing the full announcement?
For issues accessing the complete announcement, the point of contact listed was the BAA Coordinator.
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