Grant powers innovation in the science of freezing

We all know the difference between water and ice is a drop in temperature, but for Konrad Meister, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, there's more. It's a molecular puzzle with the potential to reshape industries such as agriculture and medicine. His research focuses on the "how" of freezing, specifically identifying biological proteins that are exceptionally good at kickstarting the process of turning water into ice. Now, with support from a TRANSFORM seed grant, Meister is turning that fundamental science into a scalable technology.

The challenge Meister is addressing through his research lies in how we currently control freezing. Industries like snowmaking often rely on bacterial additives to kickstart the freezing process. However, these bacterial sources can face regulatory hurdles and stability issues. To address this, Meister is developing a biological, soluble ice nucleation agent derived from fungi. Unlike their bacterial cousins, these fungal proteins are membrane-free, highly active and stable, making them a safer and more versatile alternative.

The potential applications of this breakthrough are vast. The technology is designed to address challenges in any field that requires controlled freezing at relatively warm sub-zero temperatures. This includes the formulation of frozen foods, the cryopreservation of cells and tissues, and industrial snowmaking. But for Meister, one application hits close to home.

Meister highlights the technology's potential to bolster the region's water resources. "Cloud seeding especially could become super relevant for Idaho," he said.

Meister's work is being partially supported by the TRANSFORM seed grant program, part of the National Science Foundation's Accelerating Research Translation (ART) award. This seed funding is providing Meister and his research group with some of the resources needed to optimize protein production and run functional tests on stability in challenging, industry-like environments. These research steps are critical to bridge the gap between a lab discovery and a market-ready product, but are often too industry-focused for traditional science grants.

Along with the TRANSFORM seed grant funding, Meister cites his partnership with Hyacinth Proteins, a collaborator helping the team navigate the complex process of scalable protein purification, and his work with the Office of Technology Transfer as essential to his success. Meister was initially hesitant about commercializing the ice nucleating proteins due to the workload, but he credits the tech transfer team for changing his perspective. By working with them, he has been able to get legal protection for the ice nucleating proteins and has a commercial agreement to use the proteins for cloud seeding.

Meister's journey from basic research to patent-pending inventor and industry collaborator emulates a broader cultural shift that Boise State is striving for. When asked where he hopes to see the university in the next decade, Meister pointed to the need for a robust infrastructure that matches the ambition of its researchers.

"As Boise State grows, I hope to see a stronger pipeline from research to commercialization," Meister said. "Right now, that path is difficult. Boise has a strong innovation culture, so with better infrastructure and support, we could accelerate the move from discovery to market. Other universities have done this well, and we have the potential to follow that lead."

For now, Meister is focused on the immediate next steps, proving that his proteins can withstand the rigors of industrial use. With the support of the TRANSFORM program and the Office of Technology Transfer, his research is well on its way to making a tangible impact.

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