Life Sciences Division







The Life Sciences Division manages a diverse portfolio of research to develop fundamental biological information and to advance technology in support of DOE's missions in biology, medicine, and the environment. Specific research areas include:

  • Genomics:GTL research - to underpin the development of biotechnology solutions for energy, the environment, and carbon sequestration. This timely and forward looking program will develop high throughput, genome-scale technologies needed to understand the workings of biological, primarily microbial, systems from proteomics to metabolomics to regulatory networks to ecogenomics, including the development of scientific user facilities. A central element of Genomics:GTL is the development of the computational capabilities and systems needed to model complex biological systems. Thus, Genomics:GTL is a joint program with the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research.
  • DNA sequencing - annual invitation for suggestions of microbial targets for merit reviewed genomic sequencing to address mission needs in carbon sequestration, energy production, and bioremediation. DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI) runs a Community Sequencing Program (CSP) to provide the scientific community with access to merit reviewed high-throughput sequencing.
  • Low dose radiation research - to understand and characterize the risks to human health from exposures to low levels of radiation.
  • Scientific user facilities
    • Structural Biology - to develop and support DOE national user facilities for use in fundamental structural biology.
    • Production Genomics Facility for high throughput DNA sequencing.
    • Center for Comparative and Functional Genomics providing expertise in mouse genetics( experimental design, mutagenesis, transgenesis, phenotyping, cryopreservation of embryos and germ cells, and data management) with capabilities for mouse gene discovery and functional characterization.
  • ELSI research - to anticipate and address ethical, legal, and social implications arising from genome research.
Within the Department of Energy (DOE), all research conducted at DOE, supported with DOE funds, or performed by DOE employees must comply with Federal regulations and DOE Orders to protect human subjects. The Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Life Sciences Division manages the DOE Human Subjects Program.

For additional information about these specific programs, please contact an appropriate staff member.

Ari Patrinos, Ph.D.
Acting Director, Life Sciences Division, SC-72
19901 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874-1290
301) 903-5468 (voice)
(301) 903-8521 (fax)

U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Science
Office of Biological and Environmental Research
Life Sciences Divison Medical Sciences Division Environmental Sciences Division Advisory Committee Division Staff Comments & Questions