July 11, 2017
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Tom Inglesby, Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security
The publication of the experimental work that synthesized horsepox is imminent, according to multiple reports. Horsepox no longer exists in nature, so this was the creation of an extinct virus in the same genus as smallpox. It doesn't infect people, but causes pox disease in horses. Researchers have cited several objectives for the work, including the intention to develop it as a smallpox vaccine, the intention to develop it as a virus-based cancer treatment, and the intention to show that synthesizing smallpox de novo is possible.
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Public Health & Healthcare Preparedness
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COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
Strengthening Public Health Laboratories.
The purpose of this supplemental funding opportunity aims to promote quality and safe Public Health Laboratory (PHL) practice; improve PHL infrastructure; strengthen the PHL system and develop a well-trained PHL workforce. Activities conducted will use science-based knowledge to identify best practices that will improve PHL effectiveness, capabilities and sustainability.
(Grants.gov, 7/7/17)
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NEWS
26 Key Bioterrorism Jobs the Trump Administration Has Not Yet Filled.
Within the US government, there are many positions across multiple agencies and departments that are vital for national decision-making about how to prevent, detect and respond to bioterrorism threats. But a large number of key positions remain unfilled by the Trump administration, including positions involved in making decisions about response, funding and medical countermeasures.
(Washington Post, 7/7/17)
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WORKSHOP
Standards for Pathogen Detection for Biosurveillance and Clinical Applications Workshop.
The purpose of this workshop is to present state-of-the-art pathogen detection technologies, primarily related to sequencing, emphasizing the need for standards relevant to the clinical diagnostic and biothreat detection stakeholder communities. Speakers will include subject matter experts from industry, academia, and government. The workshop, hosted by NIST, will be held August 14-15 in Gaithersburg, MD. Registration is required.
(NIST, 7/17)
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WORKSHOP
Development of New Tuberculosis Drug Regimens-Scientific and Clinical Design Considerations.
This public workshop, hosted by FDA, is intended to provide information for and gain perspective pertaining to development efforts around new in vitro and in vivo models, new biomarkers and tuberculosis diagnostics, assessing the contribution of 2 or more new components used in combination for to a tuberculosis regimen and clinical trial design challenges. The workshop will be held on July 19, 8:30-5 PM EST.
(FDA, 7/17)
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Homeland Security & Disaster Preparedness
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NEWS
The Pentagon Ponders the Threat of Synthetic Bioweapons.
With new gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9, state enemies could, theoretically, create unique organisms by mixing-and-matching bits of genetic information. Christian Hassell, deputy assistant secretary of defense for chemical and biological defense, and his colleagues at the Pentagon funded a year-long review by the National Academies of Sciences of the biodefense vulnerabilities created by synthetic biology.
(Wired, 7/10/17)
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
FY 2017 Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program.
The Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program is established to build State, local, tribal and territorial capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, including threats or acts of terrorism. Through this NOFO, FEMA will provide financial assistance to support the National Homeland Security Consortium and the Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council.
(Grants.gov, 7/7/17)
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Radiological & Nuclear Disaster Preparedness
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Science & Technology Policy
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NEWS
The Gaping, Dangerous Hole in the Trump Administration.
The law that created the Office of Science and Technology Policy obligates the president to name a director, a position the Senate must confirm. Trump has not done that yet, and there are no indications that he will anytime soon. Without science and technology advisors in the White House, President Trump could struggle to respond to crises.
(MIT Technology Review, 7/7/17)
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NEWS
Innovation vs. the Ants.
Years of federal belt-tightening have starved laboratories of funding for routine maintenance, and the deterioration has reached the point that some researchers say the nation's ability to conduct cutting-edge science is being damaged.
(Politico, 7/6/17)
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NEWS
How NASA Uses Telemedicine to Care for Astronauts in Space.
Telemedicine is a key component of medical care on the International Space Station. While doctors have always communicated with the crews of short missions, largely to guide them through acute spaceflight-specific health issues, today's long-duration and exploration missions require space medicine to fulfill a much wider-ranging mandate and extend beyond minor illness and urgent care.
(Harvard Business Review, 7/6/17)
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NEWS
IARPA Seeks Tech to ID Bioengineered Life Forms.
Article text: IARPA said its Finding Engineering-Linked Indicators (FELIX) program looks to develop new tech that can spot genetically engineered changes within biological systems to spur "mitigation responses to unlawful or accidental release of organisms.
(FCW, 7/5/17)
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Combating the Opioid Crisis: Battles in the States. US House Committee on Energy & Commerce, Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations. 7/12/17, 10 AM. Rayburn 2123.
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US Fire Administration and Fire Grant Programs Reauthorization: Examining Effectiveness and Priorities. US House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, Subcommittee on Research and Technology. 7/12/17, 10 AM. Rayburn 2318.
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