Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security launches Gene Synthesis Screening Information Hub

September 4, 2024 - Today, the Center for Health Security announces the Gene Synthesis Screening Information Hub, a new online platform dedicated to helping nucleic acid synthesis providers, manufacturers, and customers adhere to a new federal Framework aimed at preventing intentional misuse of synthetic nucleic acids and supporting safe scientific research practices in the United States.

Starting October 26, 2024, the US Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening (Framework), established under §4(b) of the Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, will require that federally funded entities conducting life sciences research purchase synthetic nucleic acids and equipment from providers and manufacturers that adhere to the Framework. The Information Hub helps US providers, manufacturers, and customers understand how they can meet the new requirements. It also helps international practitioners stay informed of this new US policy.

Key features of the Center’s Information Hub include:

• For Providers & Manufacturers: Information and tools to help screen purchase orders for any dangerous or concerning sequence, verify customer legitimacy, and report suspicious orders, including fact sheets for providers and manufacturers and a List of Companies and Tools Available to Assist Providers and Manufacturers in Screening Nucleic Acid Synthesis Orders.
   
• For Customers: Resources to help research institutions and other entities comply with the Framework by ordering synthetic nucleic acid products only from providers and manufacturers who carefully screen their orders to ensure each order is safe and appropriate, including a List of Framework-Attesting Nucleic Acid Synthesis Providers & Benchtop Manufacturers.
   
• FAQs & Additional Resources: A hyperlinked list of diverse resources on nucleic acid synthesis screening along with answers to frequently asked questions.

“Our team has been working on nucleic synthesis screening policy for the last several years,” said Center for Health Security Director Dr. Tom Inglesby and Deputy Director Anita Cicero. “The launch of our Information Hub reflects the Center’s commitment to advancing national security and biosecurity by equipping stakeholders with the resources needed to guard against malicious use of these important synthetic biological materials.”

Legitimate research using nucleic acid synthesis helps to develop new vaccines, treatments, and research methods. Combined with synthetic biology, nucleic acid synthesis is used to manipulate naturally occurring pathogens to support these medical countermeasure development efforts. The same methods, however, can be used for nefarious purposes. Therefore, nucleic acid synthesis screening programs and practices could improve biosecurity and help mitigate the potential for misuse of this type of research.

Explore the Gene Synthesis Screening Information Hub.

For inquiries related to the website, please contact Melissa Hopkins at melissa.hopkins@jhu.edu.

For media inquiries, please contact Cagla Giray at cgiray1@jhu.edu.