On Oct. 1, 2005, NSF awarded a grant to the University of Washington for the establishment of a "Genetically Engineered Materials Science and Engineering Center (GEMSEC)" through its MRSEC Program.  

The GEMSEC investigates genetically engineered and tailored protein-based molecular building blocks for use in synthesis, assembly, and formation of nanostructured hybrid materials with novel photonic, electronic, or chemical properties in applications of technology and medicine. The center is establishing an international network of laboratories sharing common interests in molecular biomimetics and is partnering with industry and National Laboratories.   The MRSEC will conduct a unique outreach program to Native Americans. 

Five departments (MSE, ChemE, Chem, EE, and Microbiol) in three colleges are partnering in this Center with 10 investigators: Mehmet Sarikaya (Director), Francois Baneyx (Co-Dir), David Ginger, Alex Jen, Ram Samudrala, Dan Shwartz, Candan Tamerler, Beth Traxler, Babak Parviz, Younan Xia.