Funding-DARPA --
RAPID THREAT ASSESSMENT (RTA); July 23, 2013
Agency
Other
Defense Agencies
Description
DARPA
is soliciting innovative research proposals to develop new high-throughput
methods and tools that will elucidate in thirty days the molecular mechanism by
which threat agents, drugs, biologics or chemicals affect the function of
biological cells. Biological cells contain many thousands of different
molecules that interact in complex, dynamic networks that perform essential
cell functions. Threat agents, drugs, biologics and chemicals interfere with
cell function by interacting with one or more (potentially hundreds) cellular
molecules associated with the membrane, cytoplasm, or nucleus. Cellular
function is then altered in turn as the consequences of those interactions
propagate through the cellular networks. Some of these interactions might occur
within milliseconds, while changes in gene and protein expression may take
hours to days. Existing biological methods and tools require years or decades
to identify the primary molecular targets and the complex sequelae
that together constitute the molecular mechanism of action of chemicals and
biologics. In some cases, the mechanism can involve many hundreds of
intracellular molecules and interactions between them. This knowledge is
important because a detailed molecular mechanism provides a framework from
which threat mitigations or countermeasures might be developed. This knowledge
is needed in a timely manner so as to constitute a credible defense and
potential deterrent to the use of chemical or biological threat agents.
Consequently, DARPA is seeking innovative tools and methods that, in thirty
days or less, reveal the identities of participant molecules and the sequence
of molecular interactions and events triggered by a threat agent, drug,
biologic or chemical when applied to biological cells. The desired method(s)
and tool(s) should reveal molecular events that occur within milliseconds of
exposure, as well as those events that occur hours or days later.
Announcement
Number:
DARPA-BAA-13-34
Closing
Date:
Jul 23, 2013 4:00 pm Eastern
Link
to Full Announcement
Contact
Information
Barry
Pallotta