The BWC Global Forum: Biotech, Biosecurity & Beyond

Dr. Yong-Bee Lim , Deputy Director, Converging Risks Lab & Biosecurity Projects Manager, Council on Strategic Risks July 24, 2024 In this episode, we discuss the availability and use of open-source data to monitor BWC-related activities. Dr. Lim is leading a study to identify tools, techniques, and sources to support the ability to identify, track, and evaluate biological activities using publicly...

Dr. Kelly Chibale, Founder & Director, University of Cape Town Holistic Drug Discovery & Development Centre April 23, 2024 In this episode, we discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery, particularly in lower-resource settings. AI typically requires advanced computing infrastructure and tremendous power and other resources to utilize, but Dr. Chibale's team at the University...

Dr. David Williams,  Chief of the Division of Hematology & Oncology at Boston Children's Hospital, Associate Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Leland Fikes Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School March 15, 2024 In this episode, we discuss advances in gene therapy and its use in treating pediatric patients. Using modified viruses as...

Dr. Adam Leman , Lead Scientist, Fermentation, Good Food Institute December 19, 2023 In this episode, we discuss the convergence of fermentation, perhaps the world's oldest biotechnology, with modern advancements in molecular biology to produce non-animal proteins as a sustainable food source. The exponential growth of the human population and our continued reliance on traditional processes for gr...

Dr. James Diggans , Head of Biosecurity, Twist Bioscience & Chair, International Gene Synthesis Consortium October 19, 2023 In this episode, we discuss the role of international screening efforts in protecting against the misuse of synthetically manufactured genetic materials. Rapid expansion in the capacity, affordability, and accessibility of gene synthesis — the ability to assemble genetic sequ...

Mr. Saurabh Todi , Research Analyst, High-Tech Geopolitics Programme, The Takshashila Institution, India Dr. Shambhavi Naik , Head of Research, The Takshashila Institution, India September 28, 2023 In this episode, we discuss advancements in gene drive capabilities and their potential as a tool to control vectors of zoonotic diseases. Gene drives are a natural process that preferentially propagate...

Dr. Andy Spry , Consultant to the Planetary Protection Officer, NASA April 21, 2023 In this episode, we discuss NASA's Office of Planetary Protection, which focuses on mitigating contamination risk for space missions. Their efforts cover both forward contamination — ie, contaminating extraterrestrial bodies with organisms from Earth — and backward contamination — ie, contaminating Earth with extra...

Ms. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay , Chair & Chief Executive Officer, IKP Knowledge Park, India Dr. Diah Iskandriati , Biosafety Officer, Primate Research Center, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia August 14, 2023 This episode was recorded live, on site at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the  BWC Global Forum side event hosted during the August 2023 meeting of the BWC...

Dr. Lauren Oldfield , Director of Synthetic Genomics, Replay April 17, 2023 In this episode, we discuss efforts to develop large DNA viruses, such as herpesviruses, as vectors to deliver gene therapies, including advantages over other types of pathogen platforms. Notably, large viruses enable the delivery of larger genes for therapeutic purposes, and the characteristics of herpes simplex viruses (...

Dr. Mariam Elgabry , Founder & CEO, Bronic Ltd April 11, 2023 In this episode, we discuss the risks and challenges associated with the emerging field of cyberbiosecurity and some considerations and approaches to mitigating those risks, as biology continues to integrate further with advanced computing, machine learning, and other cyber-related technologies.

Dr. James Revill , Head, WMD & Space Security Programmes, UN Institute for Disarmament Research Dr. Anna Laura Ross , Head, Emerging Technologies, Research Prioritization & Support Unit, World Health Organization Dr. Leifan Wang , Assistant Professor, Center for Biosafety Research & Strategy, Tianjin University November 28, 2022 This episode was recorded live, on site at the UN Palais des Nations...

Dr. Robert Mayall , Chief Technical Officer & Founder, FREDsense September 14, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the technologies and capabilities associated with wastewater surveillance systems, their rise to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic response, and prospective benefits and risks associated with expansion to other pathogens and purposes.

Dr. Jung-Mo Ahn , Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas September 14, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the use of small molecules as targeted treatments to interrupt the regulatory pathways responsible for cancer growth, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions, with relatively minimal off-target effects.

Dr. Kazuto Kato , Professor of Biomedical Ethics & Public Policy, Osaka University October 11, 2022 In this episode, we discuss the current state of technologies and ethics associated with human genome editing, including as direct treatment for patients and to modify inheritable traits for future generations.

Ben Novak , Lead Scientist & Program Manager, Revive & Restore September 6, 2022 In this episode, we discuss Revive & Restore's de-extinction efforts for the passenger pigeon, including the current state of associated technologies, timeline for developing and implementing future technologies, and intended and unintended consequences of de-extinction.