Review of the Department of Energy's Genomics: GTL Program (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Summary
Summary
Pages 1-8
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
The Genomics: GTL program aims "to understand biological systems well enough to predict their behavior accurately with mechanistic computational models" so that such knowledge can be used to engineer systems for bioenergy production and environmental remediation and to understand carbon cycling and sequestration. Since the inception of the program, it has awarded funding for over 75 research projects to interdisciplinary teams of investigators.
|
From page 2... ...
Question 1: Is the Genomics: GTL program, as currently designed, scientifically and technically well tailored to the challenges faced by the DOE in energy technology development and environmental remediation? Answer 1: Yes, the use of systems and synthetic biology approaches in the Genomics: GTL program to address some of the most press ing issues in microbial genomics relevant to DOE's mission in en ergy security, environmental remediation, and carbon cycling and sequestration is not only appropriate but necessary.
|
From page 3... ...
Are there alternate models for some or all of the proposed effort that could more efficiently deliver the same scientific output? Answer 2: The committee enthusiastically endorses the goals of the Genomics: GTL program and acknowledges the need for infrastruc ture, but it believes that DOE's current plan for building four inde pendent facilities for protein production, molecular imaging, proteome analysis, and systems biology sequentially may not be the most cost-effective, efficient, and scientifically optimal way to provide this infrastructure.
|
From page 4... ...
Each facility will combine the capabilities of the original planned facility types in a vertically integrated manner so that it can tackle all aspects of a problem or small set of problems in parallel and potentially achieve goals more quickly. The first vertically integrated facility would focus on one or two of DOE's mission goals, such as bioenergy.
|
From page 5... ...
The facility would provide an intellectual and physical environment for both multidisciplinary teams and individual-based research. · The research programs of the facilities would be built on overarching biolog ical themes relevant to the DOE missions in energy production, environmental remediation, and carbon sequestration.
|
From page 6... ...
Recommendation 3: DOE should consider locating user facilities on private land off DOE reservations to allow an open-access policy and close to research institutions that have established programs or centers of excellence in biosciences and biotechnology. The locations for the user facilities should be selected in an open and all-inclusive competitive process that provides adequate opportunities for universities and industry to partner with DOE and its national laboratories.
|
From page 7... ...
A recent analysis conducted by Securing America's Future Energy and the National Commission on Energy Policy concluded that even "small incidents" that reduced global oil supply by 4 percent would cause oil prices to increase dramatically to more than $161 per barrel. Second, as several National Research Council reports have concluded, we need to act now if we are to have any chance of stabilizing greenhouse-gas emissions; this is espe
|
From page 8... ...
CONCLUSION The committee finds that the systems biology focus of the Genomics: GTL program is essential to achieving DOE's mission goals and other goals and objectives in biology in general and in sustainable development. The current research program is excellent, and the need for infrastructure for protein production, molecular imaging, proteome analysis and modeling and analysis of cellular systems is well justified.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.