Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology

Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 189
Release: 2019-01-05
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0309465184

Scientific advances over the past several decades have accelerated the ability to engineer existing organisms and to potentially create novel ones not found in nature. Synthetic biology, which collectively refers to concepts, approaches, and tools that enable the modification or creation of biological organisms, is being pursued overwhelmingly for beneficial purposes ranging from reducing the burden of disease to improving agricultural yields to remediating pollution. Although the contributions synthetic biology can make in these and other areas hold great promise, it is also possible to imagine malicious uses that could threaten U.S. citizens and military personnel. Making informed decisions about how to address such concerns requires a realistic assessment of the capabilities that could be misused. Biodefense in the Age of Synthetic Biology explores and envisions potential misuses of synthetic biology. This report develops a framework to guide an assessment of the security concerns related to advances in synthetic biology, assesses the levels of concern warranted for such advances, and identifies options that could help mitigate those concerns.

Report of the Committee on Proposal Evaluation for Allocation of Supercomputing Time for the Study of Molecular Dynamics

Report of the Committee on Proposal Evaluation for Allocation of Supercomputing Time for the Study of Molecular Dynamics
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 24
Release: 2017-10-27
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0309467527

This report describes the work of the Committee on Proposal Evaluation for Allocation of Supercomputing Time for the Study of Molecular Dynamics, Eighth Round. The committee evaluated submissions received in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for biomolecular simulation time on Anton 2, a supercomputer specially designed and built by D.E. Shaw Research (DESRES). Over the past five years, DESRES has made an Anton or Anton 2 system housed at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) available to the non-commercial research community, based on the advice of previous National Research Council committees. As in prior rounds, the goal of the eighth RFP for simulation time on Anton 2 is to continue to facilitate breakthrough research in the study of biomolecular systems by providing a massively parallel system specially designed for molecular dynamics simulations. The program seeks to continue to support research that addresses important and high impact questions demonstrating a clear need for Anton's special capabilities. Report of the Committee on Proposal Evaluation for Allocation of Supercomputing Time for the Study of Molecular Dynamics, Eighth Round is the report of the committee's evaluation of proposals based on scientific merit, justification for requested time allocation, and investigator qualifications and past accomplishments. This report identifies the proposals that best met the selection criteria.

Meeting the Nation's Needs for Biomedical and Behavioral Scientists

Meeting the Nation's Needs for Biomedical and Behavioral Scientists
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 175
Release: 1994-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309050863

This book assesses the nation's future needs for biomedical and behavioral scientists and the role the National Research Service Awards (NRSA) program can play in meeting those needs. The year 1994 marks the twentieth anniversary of the National Research Act of 1974 (PL 93-348), which established the NRSA program. In its twenty years of operation, the NRSA program has made it possible for many thousands of talented individuals in the basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences to sharpen their research skills and to apply those skills to topics of special concern to the nation, such as aging, hypertension, the genetic basis of disease, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), cancer, environmental toxicology, nutrition and health, and substance abuse.

Reports

Reports
Author: United States. Mississippi River Commission
Publisher:
Total Pages: 338
Release: 1885
Genre: Mississippi River
ISBN:

Appendix F to Final Report

Appendix F to Final Report
Author: Delaware. Governor's Task Force on Reorganization of the Executive Branch of Government
Publisher:
Total Pages: 100
Release: 1970
Genre: Executive departments
ISBN:

Health Planning Reports Personal Author Index

Health Planning Reports Personal Author Index
Author: United States. Bureau of Health Planning
Publisher:
Total Pages: 1018
Release: 1981
Genre: Health planning
ISBN:

Lists citations to the National Health Planning Information Center's collection of health planning literature, government reports, and studies from May 1975 to January 1980.