International multisite implementation of distributed cell-free protein biomanufacturing to advance health and research equity

Limitations in global access to research and health care capacity undermine equity, sustainability, and resilience, particularly in resource-limited settings. Molecular diagnostics and biologic therapeutics are set to revolutionize medicine; however, our dependence on centralized biomanufacturing and cold chain logistics restricts access to these benefits. These constraints reflect a chronic and unmet global challenge. Here, with research teams in North and South America and Asia, we challenge the top-down paradigm by advancing community-driven solutions that empower underserved populations to participate in the bioeconomy, producing what they need, when, and where they need it. Our approach leverages low-burden biomanufacturing-built on cell-free protein synthesis and open-source hardware-to enable local, on-demand production of high-value bioproducts, including growth factors, vaccines, and diagnostic enzymes, demonstrating performance comparable to commercial gold standards. Implemented at 10 sites worldwide, this platform supported patient trials targeting globally relevant pathogens. Together, these efforts lay the foundation for a globally inclusive biomanufacturing ecosystem, where innovation goes beyond geographic boundaries.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2026-05-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7039
Primary Topic
Transgenic Plants and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

International multisite implementation of distributed cell-free protein biomanufacturing to advance health and research equity

Mohammad Simchi, Jennifer Doucet, Tony Mazzulli, Kaiyue Wu et al.
Science Advances
Transgenic Plants and Applications
article

International multisite implementation of distributed cell-free protein biomanufacturing to advance health and research equity

Mohammad Simchi, Jennifer Doucet, Tony Mazzulli, Kaiyue Wu, Scott C. Weaver, Keith Pardee, Gabriel Luz Wallau, Quinn Matthews, C F Leon, Patricia García Cañete, Krištof Bozovičar, Alexander A. Green, Magalhães, Suelen C. Lima, Camila González, Aidan Tinafar, Seray Cicek, Fernán Federici, Abelardo Silva‐Júnior, David Duplat, Tanvi Kale, Justin R. J. Vigar, Kate Chatfield‐Reed, Larissa Krokovsky, Paula Benitez-Bolivar, T. C. Araujo, Alexander Klenov, Valentina Ferrando, Anson Ho, Ashyad Rayhan, Kodjo Ayi, Pouriya Bayat, Marcelo H. S. Paiva, Severine Cazaux, Adriana Bernal, Tara E. Stehelin, Ian Crandall, Lauren A. Cranmer, Jean P. M. Nascimento, Thaíse Yasmine Vasconcelos de Lima Cavalcanti, Yuxiu Guo, Marcela Guevara-Suarez, Ana L. L. Divarzak, Moiz Charania, Renata P. G. Mendes, Jessica Nguyen, Severino Jefferson Ribeiro da Silva, Serena Singh, Anibal Arce, Idorenyin A. Iwe, Bárbara N. R. Santos, Laís C. Machado, Lindomar Pena, Chaitanya A. Athale, Deyse C. M. Carvalho
article en

Abstract

Limitations in global access to research and health care capacity undermine equity, sustainability, and resilience, particularly in resource-limited settings. Molecular diagnostics and biologic therapeutics are set to revolutionize medicine; however, our dependence on centralized biomanufacturing and cold chain logistics restricts access to these benefits. These constraints reflect a chronic and unmet global challenge. Here, with research teams in North and South America and Asia, we challenge the top-down paradigm by advancing community-driven solutions that empower underserved populations to participate in the bioeconomy, producing what they need, when, and where they need it. Our approach leverages low-burden biomanufacturing-built on cell-free protein synthesis and open-source hardware-to enable local, on-demand production of high-value bioproducts, including growth factors, vaccines, and diagnostic enzymes, demonstrating performance comparable to commercial gold standards. Implemented at 10 sites worldwide, this platform supported patient trials targeting globally relevant pathogens. Together, these efforts lay the foundation for a globally inclusive biomanufacturing ecosystem, where innovation goes beyond geographic boundaries.

Science AdvancesVol. 12(22)
Boston University (US), Northwestern University (US), Universidad de Los Andes (CO), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL), Yukon University (CA), Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune (IN), University of Toronto (CA), Universidade Federal de Alfenas (BR), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), Millennium Science Initiative (CL), Emmanuel Bible College (CA), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (BR), Regional Health (US), Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz (BR), Sinai Health System (CA), Craft Technologies (United States) (US), IMPCO Technologies (Canada) (CA), Millennium Institute for Integrative Biology (CL), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (BR), The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (US), Universidad de Magallanes (CL), Universidade de Pernambuco (BR), Universidade Federal de Alagoas (BR), Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (DE)
Canada Research Chairs, Canada First Research Excellence Fund, National Institutes of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Transgenic Plants and Applications
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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