42 U.S.C. § 16317 (THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE)
§ 16317. Systems biology program
(a) Program
(1) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program in microbial and plant systems biology, protein science, computational biology, and environmental science to support the energy, national security, and environmental missions of the Department.
(2) Grants
The program shall support individual researchers and multidisciplinary teams of researchers through competitive, merit-reviewed grants.
(3) Consultation
In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies that conduct genetic and protein research.
(b) Goals
The program shall have the goal of developing technologies and methods based on the biological functions of genomes, microbes, and plants that—
(1) can facilitate the production of fuels, including hydrogen in sustainable production systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
(2) convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon;
(3) detoxify soils and water, including at facilities of the Department, contaminated with heavy metals and radiological materials;
(4) develop cellulosic and other feedstocks that are less resource and land intensive and that promote sustainable use of resources, including soil, water, energy, forests, and land, and ensure protection of air, water, and soil quality; and
(5) address other Department missions as identified by the Secretary.
(c) Plan
(1) Development of plan
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to Congress a research plan describing how the program authorized pursuant to this section will be undertaken to accomplish the program goals established in subsection (b).
(2) Review of plan
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the research plan developed under this subsection. The Secretary shall transmit the review to Congress not later than 18 months after transmittal of the research plan under paragraph (1), along with the Secretary’s response to the recommendations contained in the review.
(d) User facilities and ancillary equipment
Within the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this part, amounts shall be available for projects to develop, plan, construct, acquire, or operate special equipment, instrumentation, or facilities, including user facilities at National Laboratories, for researchers conducting research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in systems biology and proteomics and associated biological disciplines.
(e) Prohibition on biomedical and human cell and human subject research
(1) No biomedical research
In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall not conduct biomedical research.
(2) Limitations
Nothing in this section shall authorize the Secretary to conduct any research or demonstrations—
(A) on human cells or human subjects; or
(B) designed to have direct application with respect to human cells or human subjects.
(f) Bioenergy research centers
(1) Establishment of centers
In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish at least 7 bioenergy research centers, which may be of varying size.
(2) Geographic distribution
The Secretary shall establish at least 1 bioenergy research center in each Petroleum Administration for Defense District or Subdistrict of a Petroleum Administration for Defense District.
(3) Goals
The goals of the centers established under this subsection shall be to accelerate basic transformational research and development of biofuels, including biological processes.
(4) Selection and duration
(A) In general
A center under this subsection shall be selected on a competitive basis for a period of 5 years.
(B) Reapplication
After the end of the period described in subparagraph (A), a grantee may reapply for selection on a competitive basis.
(5) Inclusion
A center that is in existence on December 19, 2007—
(A) shall be counted towards the requirement for establishment of at least 7 bioenergy research centers; and
(B) may continue to receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of establishment of the center.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 977, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 110–140, title II, §§ 232(a), 233, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1537.)
heading: References in Text
text: This part, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle G (§§ 971–984A) of title IX of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 898, which enacted this part and amended section 5523 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of subtitle G to the Code, see Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 2007—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(1), substituted “computational biology, and environmental science” for “and computational biology”.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(2)(A), inserted “in sustainable production systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions” after “hydrogen”.
Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(2)(B)–(D), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–140, § 233, added subsec. (f).
heading: Effective Date of 2007 Amendment
text: Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.