Your idea can be broad and leverage on bacteria’s capabilities. Specifically, the envisioned technology enables the detection, by the engineered bacteria, of an external stimuli (e.g. temperature, light, pH, etc.) and react accordingly. We strongly encourage proposals that creatively exploit this capability in different settings.

No. We are looking for high-impact application ideas. Your proposal can focus on:

• 1) A totally new application OR
• 2) The optimization of an existing process or technology where our core biological system (bacteria taking/releasing DNA based on external stimuli) is a crucial and novel component. The key is to involve the bacteria’s unique capabilities.

Your application idea must be compatible with the following platform parameters: — Host Organisms: E. coli or Bacillus subtilis. — DNA Length: Oligonucleotides between 500 bp and 10,000 bp. — Operating Temperature: Bacterial life and DNA transfer must occur between 0°C and 37°C. — Transfection Efficiency: Assume a working efficiency rate between 20% and 90% (as detailed in the presentation).

Ideas generated during the Challenge that lead to new Intellectual Property (IP) will be discussed and managed collaboratively within the MI-DNA DISC consortium. The specific terms of ownership and exploitation for the winning ideas will be formally negotiated with the Consortium to ensure fair usage and development under the EU project rules.

All proposals will be evaluated based on the average score (0 to 5) across multiple, defined criteria (e.g., Novelty, Impact, Feasibility, Consortium Fit).

The minimum threshold for an idea to be eligible for the final selection round is a mean score of 3.8 out of 5. Only ideas meeting or exceeding this score will be entered into the pool of potential winners.