On May 2, 2025, Zymo Research partnered with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), to host the second BioFestival—an immersive, on-campus event designed to accelerate scientific discovery, promote sustainable research, and support rising researchers with funding and resources. As a recognized leader in sample preparation and a proud partner to academia, Zymo brought its core technologies, educational initiatives, and values to life—creating a unique space where science, innovation, and sustainability could thrive together.
From groundbreaking lightning talks by students to interactive booths and science games hosted by Zymo, the BioFestival celebrated innovation at every level—underscoring Zymo Research’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of scientists with accessible tools, expert partnerships, and opportunities to present and elevate their research.
Championing Innovation Through Research Funding
At the heart of the BioFestival is the BioDisruptor Grant Competition, created by Zymo Research to empower early-career scientists and accelerate research that challenges the status quo. The program recognizes visionary work and provides funding along with access to Zymo’s technologies, supporting students as they advance their research from the bench to real-world application.
The grants awarded ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, providing recipients with support to advance disruptive research that could benefit society. While only a select number of proposals received funding, the overall strength of the applicant pool reflected the depth of innovation at Caltech. This year’s winners presented bold, forward-looking approaches to cancer therapy, gene expression control, and microbiome-driven neuroprotection—proving that the next wave of breakthroughs is already being built inside university labs.
Grant Winners
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1st Place: Andrew Lu and Lukas Moeller
Engineered protein circuits for cancer therapyDemonstrated a programmable, mRNA-delivered protein circuit that selectively kills Ras-mutant cancer cells, potentially overcoming resistance to current targeted therapies.
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2nd Place: Victoria Tobin
Single-Gene Circuits for Dynamic Behaviors in Mammalian CellsDeveloped a compact, tunable single-gene circuit enabling pulsatile gene expression in mammalian cells—a promising tool for therapeutic gene control and cell engineering.
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3rd Place: Matheus de Castro Fonseca
Fecal Microbiota Transplant Improves Gut and Brain Pathology in alpha-synuclein overexpressing miceShowed that fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) reversed both gut and neurological symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in a mouse model, highlighting the microbiome’s therapeutic potential.
Engaging the Scientific Community
Zymo's signature interactive booths brought science to life and reflected the company’s strengths in sample preparation, NGS, epigenetics, and microbiomics. From magnetic DNA “fishing” to microbiome trivia, each booth sparked meaningful, science-focused conversations, making it easy to share insights in a memorable, hands-on way.
Building on that energy, attendees explored how innovative technologies are advancing molecular biology through sustainability, performance, and ease of use. At the Sample Collection and Transport Booth, DNA/RNA Shield® was featured as a solution for ambient-temperature stabilization of nucleic acids, eliminating the need for cold chain logistics and reducing laboratory waste. Visitors shared eco-conscious lab practices while learning how these tools support sustainable research. Adjacent booths demonstrated spin column and magnetic bead-based workflows for nucleic acid purification, enabling high-yield extraction of ultra-pure DNA or RNA—even from challenging or low-input sample types such as environmental materials.
In the NGS space, automation-compatible library preparation technologies for microbiomics, transcriptomics, and epigenetics were highlighted, showing how streamlined workflows can enhance reproducibility and data quality. A sequencing alignment video game added an interactive element while introducing attendees to end-to-end NGS services that integrate optimized wet-lab protocols with robust, publication-ready bioinformatics pipelines. From sustainable sample handling to comprehensive genomics solutions, the BioFestival showcased technologies designed to accelerate and elevate scientific discovery. The event also featured free food, student giveaways, and a chance to win an iPad, further inviting attendees to explore, participate, and connect with other scientists.
Building Lasting Partnerships with Academia
As a company dedicated to supporting scientists and empowering them throughout their careers, Zymo Research is proud to collaborate with top universities to foster a culture of innovation, sustainability, and scientific impact. The BioFestival is more than just a research symposium or career fair— it embodies our vision to drive positive change in the biomedical field and contribute to the greater good of humanity.
Following the success at Caltech and University of Southern California, BioFestival is heading to Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, the University of Maryland, and more. Each event is tailored to showcase local research, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and bring even more resources to students.
If you’d like to bring the BioFestival to your campus, or want to learn more, we invite you to connect.
Want to host a BioFestival at your institution? Contact us at biofestival@zymoresearch.com