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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.

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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.
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News and updates

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Supporting Responsible Innovation of Synthetic Cells

Announcement

Synthetic cell technology has the potential to offer innovative solutions in health, environmental sciences, agriculture, and manufacturing. A new National Academies report examines how this emerging field can advance and makes recommendations to ensure research develops in ways that are safe, secure, and responsive to societal needs while managing uncertainty and risk.

Apr 29, 2026

Scientists conduct scientific experiments in the biosafety cabinet of the laboratory .

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.

Committee Member Showcase: Applied AI to Extend the Healthspan

Program News

How do we turn the science of aging into trustworthy, deployable systems that improve human lives at meaningful scale?

Mar 11, 2026

Call for Experts - Strengthening Preparedness Against Novel Biological Threat Agents Enabled Through Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies

Update

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, in collaboration with the National Academy of Medicine, is seeking suggestions for experts to participate in the new activity, Strengthening Preparedness Against Novel Biological Threat Agents Enabled Through Artificial Intelligence and Other Emerging Technologies.

Feb 9, 2026

Transformative Science and Technology for Defense

Announcement

A recent National Academies workshop series explored critical emerging areas of research and how advances can be leveraged for U.S. competitiveness and national security. Watch discussions and learn key insights from each workshop in our new digital proceedings.

Jan 22, 2026

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Transformative Science and Technology for Defense - New Publication

Update

A recent National Academies workshop series explored critical emerging areas of research and how these breakthroughs can be leveraged to protect U.S. competitiveness and national security. Watch talk recordings and explore key insights from each workshop in our new digital proceedings.

Dec 31, 2025

Transformative S&T Banner Image.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONT6EDF1A0565B44E16B642D558CAE73B1F/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

The State of Human H5N1 Therapeutic Evidence and Future Directions

Announcement

Safe and effective therapeutics play a critical role in treating influenza infections and preventing spread. A new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies summarizes the current landscape of therapeutic options against avian influenza A (H5N1) in humans and discusses opportunities to improve preparedness and response planning for a potential scenario of sustained human-to-human spread.

Dec 22, 2025

Researcher working in a biochemist laboratory. Female doctor wearing full PPE suit, face mask, and face shield working with pathogen samples in lab.

What’s the Buzz on Bugs? New Study Takes Flight Ahead of National Pollinator Week

Program News

To get a deeper understanding of the current state of insect populations, the National Academies launched a new study focused on assessing trends in insect abundance, identifying research priorities, and suggesting actions to address the changes.

Jun 16, 2025

The Age of AI in the Life Sciences

Update

Our 2025 report recommends ways the United States can reap the benefits of artificial intelligence in the life sciences while minimizing risks that AI may be misused to develop harmful biological agents.

Apr 30, 2025

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AI Tools Can Enhance U.S. Biosecurity; Monitoring and Mitigation Will Be Needed to Protect Against Misuse

News Release

A new National Academies report recommends ways for the U.S. to reap the benefits of artificial intelligence in biotechnology while minimizing risks that AI may be misused to develop harmful biological agents.

Mar 14, 2025

New Report: Strategic Report on Research and Development in Biotechnology for Defense Innovation

Update

This report offers a strategic vision for connecting scientists and technologists to build on, leverage, and tailor advances at the intersection of AI/ML, automated experimentation, and biotechnology to drive innovation in defense-related biotechnologies.

Jan 6, 2025

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New International Bioeconomy Forum Strengthens Engagement Between U.S. and India on Promoting and Protecting the Bioeconomy

Program News

Our International Bioeconomy Roundtable held an in-person event at the Global Bio-India 2024 conference in New Delhi, India, to discuss the scope of a new National Academies initiative, the International Bioeconomy Forum.

Oct 28, 2024

A Vision for Continental-Scale Biology (CSB): Research Across Multiple Scales

Update

This report sets out a vision for the development of CSB and identifies the research areas that could most benefit from multi-scale approaches.

Oct 24, 2024

Satellite image of forest interwoven with waterways

Understanding Microplastics: Insights from Experts on Environmental and Human Health

Program News

Experts from across sectors gathered at the National Academies to discuss the environmental and health impacts of microplastics.

Sep 24, 2024

Charting a Future for Sequencing RNA and Its Modifications: Interactive Overview

Update

This digital resource highlights the key messages from the report, "Charting a Future for Sequencing RNA and Its Modifications."

Aug 26, 2024

sequencing RNA modifications

With the COVID-19 Emergency Over, It's Time to Prepare for the Next Respiratory Pathogens

Program News

A new commentary published in Environmental Health Perspectives, urges the scientific community to continue research on the airborne transmission of pathogens.

Aug 14, 2024

New Reports Evaluate U.S. Readiness to Prevent, Counter, and Respond to Threats of Nuclear and Chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction

News Release

Two new National Academies reports provide recommendations for government leadership and interagency partners to better coordinate and communicate across counterterrorism efforts and to support prevention, countermeasure, response, and recovery programs.

Jun 18, 2024

Resources online - Video and Presentation Available

Update

May 22, 2024

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