Improving DNA sequence screening.
Why?
“Today, most global DNA synthesis activity is not screened for health or environmental risks, and existing screening tools are limited to matching sequences to known organisms. They offer little protection against novel threats. Additionally, current DNA screening practices are inefficient and costly due to hits for genes that are likely to be harmless, but require extensive manual follow up.”
Goals?
” significant advancement of the characterization and prediction of gene function”
“curating the function of genes from select agents or other genes of concern, with an emphasis on data integration and analysis”
https://www.iarpa.gov/index.php/research-programs/fun-gcat/fun-gcat-baa