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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Page i

Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications

Committee on Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications

Board on Army Science and Technology

Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

National Research Council

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, D.C.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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    NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20418

    NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

    This study was supported by Contract No. DAAD 19-99-L-0052 between the National Academy of Sciences and the Department of Defense. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

    International Standard Book Number 0-309-07555-6

    Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2001090219

    Additional copies of this report are available from National Academy Press , 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W. , Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055 ; (800) 624-6242 or (202) 334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area); Internet, http://www.nap.edu

    Copyright 2001 by the National Academy of Sciences . All rights reserved.

    Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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    THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

    National Academy of Sciences

    National Academy of Engineering

    Institute of Medicine

    National Research Council

    The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

    The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. William A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

    The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.

    The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. William A. Wulf are chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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    COMMITTEE ON OPPORTUNITIES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR FUTURE ARMY APPLICATIONS

    MICHAEL R. LADISCH, NAE, chair, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

    ILHAN AKSAY, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

    ERIC BAER, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

    ROBERT R. BIRGE, University of Connecticut, Storrs

    ROGER BRENT, Molecular Sciences Institute, Berkeley, California

    SHEILA H. DEWITT, ArQule, Inc., Woburn, Massachusetts

    MAURO FERRARI, Ohio State University, Columbus

    CHRISTOPHER C. GREEN, General Motors, New Baltimore, Michigan

    NILE F. HARTMAN, Photonic Sensor Systems, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia

    PAUL E. LAIBINIS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

    VERNE L. (LARRY) LYNN, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (retired), Williamsburg, Virginia

    M. ALLEN NORTHRUP, Cepheid, Inc., Sunnyvale, California

    THOMAS C. RANSOHOFF, TranXenoGen, Inc., Shrewsbury, Massachusetts

    DANIEL I.C. WANG, NAE, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge

    JANET WESTPHELING, University of Georgia, Athens

    KENSALL D. WISE, NAE, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

    Board on Army Science and Technology Liaison

    KATHRYN V. LOGAN, Georgia Institute of Technology (retired), Roswell, Georgia

    JOHN H. MOXLEY III, IOM, Korn/Ferry International, Los Angeles, California

    MILLARD F. ROSE, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, Alabama

    CLARENCE G. THORNTON, Army Research Laboratory (retired), Colts Neck, New Jersey

    National Materials Advisory Board Liaison

    MIKE JAFFE, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway

    National Research Council Staff

    ROBERT J. LOVE, Study Director

    JIM MYSKA, Research Associate

    GWEN ROBY, Senior Project Assistant

    LINDA VOSS, Technical Consultant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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    BOARD ON ARMY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

    WILLIAM H. FORSTER, chair, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland

    RICHARD A. CONWAY, Union Carbide Corporation (retired), Charleston, West Virginia

    GILBERT F. DECKER, Walt Disney Imagineering, Glendale, California

    PATRICK F. FLYNN, NAE, Cummins Engine Company, Columbus, Indiana

    HENRY J. HATCH, NAE, U.S. Army (retired), Oakton, Virginia

    EDWARD J. HAUG, University of Iowa, Iowa City

    ROBERT J. HEASTON, Guidance and Control Information Analysis Center (retired), Chicago, Illinois

    GERALD R. IAFRATE, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana

    MIRIAM E. JOHN, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California

    DONALD R. KEITH, Cypress International, Alexandria, Virginia

    KATHRYN V. LOGAN, Georgia Institute of Technology (retired), Roswell, Georgia

    JOHN E. MILLER, Oracle Corporation, Reston, Virginia

    JOHN H. MOXLEY III, IOM, Korn/Ferry International, Los Angeles, California

    STEWART D. PERSONICK, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    MILLARD F. ROSE, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Huntsville, Alabama

    GEORGE T. SINGLEY, Hicks & Associates, McLean, Virginia

    CLARENCE G. THORNTON, Army Research Laboratory (retired), Colts Neck, New Jersey

    JOHN D. VENABLES, Martin Marietta Laboratory (retired), Towson, Maryland

    ALLEN C. WARD, Ward Synthesis, Inc., Ypsilanti, Michigan

    Staff

    BRUCE A. BRAUN, Director

    MICHAEL A. CLARKE, Associate Director

    BILL CAMPBELL, Administrative Coordinator

    CHRIS JONES, Financial Associate

    REBECCA LUCCHESE, Senior Project Assistant

    DEANNA SPARGER, Senior Project Assistant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Page vi

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Preface

This report has been an extremely challenging endeavor. First, the topic of biotechnology is so dynamic that new developments are being announced almost daily. Consider that the impact of sequencing the human genome in 2000 has already translated into accelerated programs for development of new medicines and of other useful molecules. I believe, as many others do, that biotechnology will continue to develop at a rate that has not been seen since the birth of microprocessor-based personal computers. It was against this backdrop of a rapidly changing science, and an even more rapidly changing translation of science into technology, that the committee addressed the issues in this report.

Second, the scope of biotechnology is expanding so fast that scientists and engineers have difficulty reconciling their perceptions of what is and isn’t included; in fact, new and important subdisciplines with linkages to future technologies, such as proteomics, have just emerged in the last few years. A third challenge has been to prepare a report that could satisfy and be understood by an audience composed of both generalists and specialists, as well as by those in the Army who must make the hard decisions on S&T priorities among all technology areas.

The committee examined the basis of new technologies and the probabilities that they could have a future impact on Army capabilities. I believe the report also provides a valuable snapshot of the nature of biotechnology and how its many facets can affect the Army. Although biotechnology is a “moving target,” actions can be taken to help track the progression of new biological concepts that will lead to products with the highest potential for Army use.

I wish to thank the committee members for their excellent efforts and the many hours they spent gathering, analyzing, summarizing, and interpreting information, debating the messages that this information contained, and assembling an excellent product.

I would also like to thank Mr. Robert Love, study director, for assembling the committee’s findings into this report. His ability to coordinate the genesis and writing of this multidisciplinary report was essential to the success of this project. His patience, dedicated effort, insights, and disciplined approach are much appreciated.

Michael R. Ladisch, chair

Committee on Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Acknowledgments

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Claudia Benack, ENSCO, Inc.

Corale L. Brierley, NAE, Brierley Consultancy LLC

R. John Collier, Harvard Medical School

Joseph M. Davie, IOM, Biogen, Inc. (retired)

Gary S. Fischman, University of Illinois at Chicago

David K. Gifford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

John Halver, NAS, U.S. Army (retired)

Larry Lehowicz, U.S. Army (retired), Quantum Research International

Matthew S. Meselson, NAS, IOM, Harvard University

Mehmet Sarikaya, University of Washington

Phillip A. Sharp, NAS, IOM, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Joseph F. Soukup, Science Applications International Corporation

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by John C. Bailar, IOM, University of Chicago. Appointed by the National Research Council, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
1    INTRODUCTION 7
    Statement of Task, 8
    Finding the Way, 9
    Definition of Biotechnology, 9
    Report Organization, 10
2    BIOTECHNOLOGY AND THE ARMY 11
    History of Biotechnology, 11
    Scope of Biotechnology, 14
        Central Role of Biology, 14
        Biomimetics, 14
        Genomics and Proteomics, 15
3    SENSING THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT 16
    Biological Sensors, 16
        Biochips, 17
        Biosensor Network, 17
    Assay Formats, 17
        Immunossays, 17
        Nucleic-Acid Assays, 18
    Detection Methods, 19
        Optical Sensors, 20
        DNA Chips, 21
    Protein Chips, 21
        Sensors That Detect Proteins in Biological Samples, 22
        Cells on a Chip, 23
    Barriers to the Development of Portable Sensors, 23
    Key Recommendations, 24
4    ELECTRONICS AND COMPUTING 25
    Protein-Based Electronic Devices, 25
        Bacteriorhodopsin, 25
        Optical-Holographic and Three-Dimensional Memories, 27
        Associative Memories and Processors, 28
        Artificial Retinas, 28
        Pattern-Recognition Systems, 29
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Contents

        Spatial Light Modulators, 30
        Biomolecular Hybrids, 30
        Technical Enablers and Barriers, 30
    Biocomputing, 31
        Biological Models, 31
        DNA Computing, 32
    Key Recommendations, 33
5    IN SEARCH OF NEW MATERIALS 34
    Biomaterials for In Vivo Use, 34
        Wound Healing, 34
        Tissue Engineering, 36
    Bioinspired and Hybrid Materials, 40
        Biocomposites, 40
        Biomineralization: Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposites, 43
    Biomaterials for Clothing and Concealment, 44
        Production of Biomaterials, 44
        Manufacturing Trends and Barriers, 44
    Key Recommendations, 45
6    REDUCING LOGISTICS REQUIREMENTS 46
    Miniaturization of Biological Devices, 46
        Microtechnology, 47
        Microfluidic Pumping Methods and Actuators, 47
        Microreaction Technologies, 48
        MEMS-Based Microfluidic Systems, 48
        Chip Architectures, 50
        Nanotechnology, 51
        Direct Readout of DNA at the Atomic Level, 51
        Key Recommendation, 53
    Functional Foods, 53
        Genetically Engineered Foods, 54
        Edible Vaccines, 54
        Key Recommendations, 55
    Biological Photovoltaics, 55
        Photosynthesis, 55
        Biomolecular Diodes, 55
        Key Recommendation, 57
    Renewable Resources, 57
        Renewable Fuels, 57
        Specialty Products, 57
        Life-Support Applications, 58
        Key Recommendations, 58
7    SOLDIER HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE 59
    Genomics, 59
        Genomics Information-Gathering Techniques, 59
        Impact of Genomics on the Prevention and Treatment of Disease, 62
        Prediction and Enhancement of Soldier Performance, 63
        Key Recommendations, 64
    Trends in Drug Development, 64
        Protein Therapeutic Compounds, 65
        Small-Molecule Therapeutic Compounds, 65
        Countering Chemical and Biological Threats, 65
Page xiii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Contents

        Examples of Army-Industry Cooperation, 67
        Improved Technologies for Drug Delivery, 67
        Barriers to Development of Therapeutics and Vaccines, 71
        Key Recommendations, 72
8    CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 73
    Biotechnology Development Areas, 73
    Overarching Conclusions, 73
    Priorities for Research, 75
    Barriers Not Amenable to Research, 77
REFERENCES 79
APPENDIXES
    A    BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS 87
    B    MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES 90
    C    CHEMICAL SENSING USING MEMS DEVICES 92
    D    VACCINATION 96
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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Page xv

Figures, Tables, and Boxes

FIGURES

2-1    Timeline of significant events in biotechnology, 13
4-1    Simplified protein structures, 26
4-2    Protein-based, 3-D memory, 27
4-3    Fourier transform holographic (FTH) associative memory, 29
5-1    Dolly the sheep, 37
5-2    Generation of chimeric mouse embryos, 38
5-3    Scanning electron micrograph of a multisite, micromachined, neural-recording probe, 39
5-4    Structure of an abalone shell, 42
6-1    MEMS device for integrated DNA analysis, 49
6-2    A micromachined cantilever and tip-mounted stylus, 52
6-3    An Interdigitated cantilever and fixed reference plate, 52
6-4    Schematic and structure of a single-electron transistor for measuring electronic charge, 53
6-5    The photosynthetic apparatus of plants, 56
7-1    Drug-delivery chip, 68
7-2    Cell-transplant biocapsule, 69
C-1    Vibrating-beam vapor sensor based on surface micromachining, 92
C-2    “Micro-hot-plate” gas sensor, 93
C-3    Monolithic gas chromatography system, 94

TABLES

ES-1    Prospective Army Applications, 2
ES-2    Biotechnology Development Areas, 5
1-1    Future Army Applications for Biotechnology, 9
2-1    Biotechnology Industry Statistics, 1993–1999, 14
8-1    Prospective Army Applications, 74
8-2    Biotechnology Development Areas, 76
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Research Council. 2001. Opportunities in Biotechnology for Future Army Applications. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10142.
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BOXES

1-1    Scenario of Possible Army Applications, 8
2-1    The Polymerase Chain Reaction, 12
2-2    The Hantavirus: A Detective Story, 12
3-1    Roles of DNA, mRNA, and Proteins, 19
3-2    Micro Total Analysis Systems (MicroTAS), 20
4-1    Technical Enablers and Barriers to the Development of Biomolecular Hybrid Devices, 31
5-1    Overview of Wound Healing, 35
5-2    Determining the Structure and Function of Proteins, 41
7-1    Determining Function Through Protein Structure, 60
7-2    Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, 61
7-3    Monoclonal Antibodies, 66
D-1    Malaria, 100
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This report surveys opportunities for future Army applications in biotechnology, including sensors, electronics and computers, materials, logistics, and medical therapeutics, by matching commercial trends and developments with enduring Army requirements. Several biotechnology areas are identified as important for the Army to exploit, either by direct funding of research or by indirect influence of commercial sources, to achieve significant gains in combat effectiveness before 2025.

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