Large scale active-learning-guided exploration for in vitro protein production optimization

Lysate-based cell-free systems have become a major platform to study gene expression but batch-to-batch variation makes protein production difficult to predict. Here we describe an active learning approach to explore a combinatorial space of ~4,000,000 cell-free buffer compositions, maximizing protein production and identifying critical parameters involved in cell-free productivity. We also provide a one-step-method to achieve high quality predictions for protein production using minimal experimental effort regardless of the lysate quality. Cell-free lysates are a major platform for in vitro protein production but batch-to-batch variation makes production difficult to predict. Here the authors develop an active learning approach to optimising buffer conditions to bring homemade lysates up to commercial production potential.