Physical and Life Sciences

Mission-driven sciences and technology advancing the security and well-being of the nation

Highlights

Glenn Fox

From radiation effects to threat detection

Concerns about underground nuclear testing and the effects of ionizing radiation on humans prompted the Atomic Energy Commission to establish a biological research program at Lawrence Livermore in 1963. Since then, the program’s mission has evolved to address changing national needs, while making important scientific breakthroughs in the process. For instance, the early work on radiation led to the discovery of flow sorting and chromosome painting, which enabled researchers to study DNA damage and the creation of chromosome-specific clone libraries in new ways. The Human Genome Project, the largest biological research project ever undertaken, followed these key discoveries.

In the years since 9/11, Livermore biologists have concentrated their efforts on detecting, assessing, and combating biological threats, both natural and deliberately developed. The Biosciences and Biotechnology Division is the nexus for biology research at the Laboratory. Our biologists work closely with chemists, engineers, physicists, and computer scientists from across the Laboratory on endeavors such as delivering technologies that rapidly detect a pathogen once it is released, processing samples with possible bioterrorist agents, cleaning contaminated facilities, and treating people exposed to pathogens, to name just a few.

Learn more about the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division in the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate.

Learn more about Livermore’s biosecurity and biomedical capabilities.

March 7, 2017

Forensic Science Center earns 7th consecutive OPCW 'A' grade

Since first achieving accreditation in 2003, Lawrence Livermore’s Forensic Science Center (FSC) is one of just two U.S. laboratories accredited by the OPCW.

March 5, 2017