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Dr. Shelley D. Minteer, professor of chemistry and founding director of the Kummer Institute Center for Resource Sustainability at Missouri S&T, has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a groundbreaking method for converting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into usable fuel.
The total NSF grant is valued at $7.8 million, with $1.8 million allocated to Missouri S&T over the course of three years.
A Collaborative Approach to Biomanufacturing
Joining Minteer in this cutting-edge research are Dr. Fateme Fayyazbakhsh, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at S&T, and Arzeda Corporation, a biotech startup specializing in protein design.
The research focuses on using biomanufacturing, an approach that combines biology and electrochemistry, to turn CO₂ into clean fuel.
This ambitious project was developed through NSF’s new initiative, the Ideas Lab, a week-long summit in Washington, D.C., where top researchers and industry professionals collaborate to tackle some of the most pressing scientific challenges.
Rethinking CO₂: From Waste to Resource
One of the major goals is to repurpose carbon dioxide—a major greenhouse gas—by transforming it into value-added chemicals, particularly sustainable fuels.
According to Minteer, biology already offers a blueprint: plants naturally convert carbon dioxide into leaves, fruit, and other matter using sunlight.
“Biology does this efficiently with enzymes,” Minteer explained. “Our aim is to replicate that natural process—but without sunlight—by using electricity instead.”
Harnessing Enzymes to Power the Future
To achieve this, the project will rely on enzymes, the proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. While nature relies on enzymes inside living organisms, the innovation here is to engineer synthetic enzymes capable of operating within a custom-built electrochemical environment.
That’s where Arzeda Corporation plays a key role. The startup will design novel proteins (enzymes) to facilitate these reactions outside traditional biological settings.
Meanwhile, Minteer’s team at Missouri S&T will create the electrodes and electrochemical reactors needed for this synthetic biology platform.
Kummer Institute’s Vision in Action
For Dr. Minteer, this project exemplifies the mission of the Kummer Institute—bringing academic expertise to real-world challenges and fueling economic and technological development.
“This is exactly what the Kummer Institute is meant to do,” said Minteer. “Not just sit in classrooms or offices, but actively work on solving industry problems and accelerating innovation.”
By merging biology, chemistry, and advanced protein design, this NSF-funded collaboration could pave the way for a clean energy future.
With support from leading researchers and innovators, biomanufacturing may soon turn carbon dioxide from a global threat into a renewable resource—all while putting Missouri at the forefront of scientific discovery.