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Program Centers
Oversight Unit

Life Sciences and Biotechnology Program Area

This program area explores research from the molecular to the ecosystem level, emphasizing the design and engineering of biological systems. Our work focuses on the convergence of life sciences with engineering, computing, and materials science to drive innovation in public health, agriculture, and beyond.

Work with us
Magnified body's raw materials, stem cells

In progress

Magnified body's raw materials, stem cells

News and Updates

Clinicians Should Focus on Symptom Evaluation and Continuity of Care Following Jet Fuel Releases in Oahu, Says New Report Examining Health Risks from Potential Exposures

News Release

A new National Academies report recommends guidance for clinicians caring for individuals who were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated by jet fuel accidently released on Oahu, Hawaii, in November 2021. The report also calls for continued environmental oversight of the drinking water system, health research, surveillance of the exposed community, and other efforts to rebuild trust.

Mar 19, 2026
Aerial view of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. From front to back - Pearl City Penninsula, (front right) Middle Loch with remnants of WWII mothball fleet, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu International Airport with Hickam Field to right, Honolulu, and Diamond Head. Photographed August 9, 2012, by 2018 the mothball fleet was gone.
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and Updates

Projects

Mirror Image Biology: Pushing the Envelope in Designing Biological Systems – A Workshop

Workshop

Recently Completed

Promoting Safe and Secure Science Through a Regional Middle East and South Asia Biological Sciences Conference

Workshop

Completed

Status of Insects in North America

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Microplastics Webinar Series: Exploring exposure and related health effects

Workshop

Recently Completed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Navigating the Benefits and Risks of Publishing Studies of In Silico Modeling and Computational Approaches of Biological Agents and Organisms – A Workshop

Workshop

Recently Completed

Potential Research Priorities to Inform Readiness and Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1): A Workshop

Workshop

Completed

Proposal Evaluation for Allocation of Supercomputing Time for the Study of Molecular Dynamics, Fifteenth Round

Other

Completed

Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
Aerial view of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. From front to back - Pearl City Penninsula, (front right) Middle Loch with remnants of WWII mothball fleet, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu International Airport with Hickam Field to right, Honolulu, and Diamond Head. Photographed August 9, 2012, by 2018 the mothball fleet was gone.

Cancer Engineering: The Convergence of Engineering and Health to Advance Cancer Research and Care: A Workshop

Workshop

In Progress

Formalizing Best Practices for Data Governance of Life Science Data in Central Asia

Educational/Outreach Activity

Recently Completed

Review of Draft Chapters of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Assessment

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Biological Threats in the Age of Emerging Biotechnology – A Workshop Series

Workshop

Recently Completed

2024 Webinar Series: A Year of Communication

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Formation

Assessing and Navigating Biosecurity Concerns and Benefits of Artificial Intelligence Use in the Life Sciences

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed
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