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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.

Magnified body's raw materials, stem cells

In progress

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.

Projects

Showing 1–32 of 145 items
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Update of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 9th Edition

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Formation

Workshop Series on Resource Optimization for Critical Minerals: Recovery Strategies for Waste and Low-Grade Materials

Workshop

In Formation

U.S. Army National Guard Joint Base Cape Cod Small Arms Ranges and Their Impact on the Cape Cod Sole Source Aquifer

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Global Dialogues on Laboratory Animal Science

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Progress

Workshop to Inform Preparedness Against Novel Biological Threat Agents Enabled Through Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies

Workshop

In Formation

Resilient and Enduring Data Infrastructure for Biomedical and Life Sciences Research and Innovation

Action Collaborative

In Formation

Aviator Cancer Examination Study

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Strengthening Preparedness Against Novel Biological Threat Agents Enabled Through Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Strengthening Southeast Asian Academia and Industry Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Safety and Security - A Workshop

Meeting of Experts

In Progress

Review of Methods in the Report on Carcinogens Handbook

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
Close-up of a someone holding a pen and reviewing a document.

Life Sciences and Biotechnology Program Area

Oversight Unit

In Progress
Magnified body's raw materials, stem cells

State of Human H5N1 Therapeutics: A Rapid Expert Consultation

Individually-Authored Product

Completed

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

Other

Recently Completed

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Formation
Close up of someone wearing blue gloves and holding a mouse.

Overall Aircraft Cabin Air Quality

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress
Empty seat Plane social distance flying during Covid-19

Expert Discussions on State and Federal Policies Governing Research Involving Animals: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape -- Meetings of Experts

Meeting of Experts

In Progress

State of Human H5N1 Diagnostics: A Rapid Expert Consultation

Individually-Authored Product

Completed

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

Completed

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

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

Workshop

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

Recently Completed
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

Completed

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

Completed

2024 Webinar Series: A Year of Communication

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Formation

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

Workshop

Recently Completed

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed
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