Energy Department awards $103 million for post-genomi...( computation and technology that will: ...)

Nature has created an array of molecular machines with precise and efficient functions and controls, including motion, molecular detection, chemical synthesis and degradation, and light emission and detection. A goal of the Genomes to Life program is to understand these molecular machines and their controls so well that they can be used and even redesigned to address national needs. The program is also expected to lead to an understanding of the complex regulatory networks that control the assembly and coordinate the operation of these machines.

The program will also provide an understanding of the complex workings of microbial communities. Many of the microbes that may be used to help solve energy and environmental challenges normally do their work as part of communities made up of many different microbes. Eight microbes will be studied in these research projects because of their potential for: bioremediation of metals and radionuclides, degradation of organic pollutants, production of hydrogen or sequestration of carbon or because of their importance in ocean carbon cycling. All of these individual microbes have had their genetic sequence determined under the department's Microbial Genome program.

None of this is achievable without sophisticated new computational tools. Thus, to help these achieve insights, researchers will develop computational tools to predict the functions and behaviors of complex biological systems.

More information on the Genomes to Life program is available at: http://DOEGenomesToLife.org

Fiscal Year 2002 Genomes to Life Research Awards

Award to Oak Ridge National Laboratory $23.
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Contact: Jill Schroeder
202-586-4940
DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory
31-Jul-2002