what is Happening today

The 'new biology'

The House Science subcommittee on research and science education held a hearing this week to look at the future of the biological sciences. The focus of the discussion was on interdisciplinary research taking place at the boundaries of just about everything -- biology, engineering, math and the physical sciences. It's being called the "new biology."



Here's a quote from U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-Illinois, the subcommittee chairman:



"Research happening at the intersection of the biological sciences, the physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics has the potential to help solve numerous important problems. To take just one example, synthetic biology could lead to the development of bacteria that could help clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, produce cellulosic biofuels, or even lead to an organism that can detect and destroy cancer cells. The prospect of advances like these is one reason the market for synthetic biology-based products is expected to grow to more than $3.5 billion over the next decade. It also shows the need to link research outcomes to American companies and American jobs."



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