Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear Defense

Breakthroughs in the science of programmable gene expression inspired DARPA to establish the PReemptive Expression of Protective Alleles and Response Elements (PREPARE) program with the goal of delivering powerful new defenses against public health and national security threats. DARPA has now selected five teams to develop a range of new medical interventions that temporarily and reversibly modulate the expression of protective genes to guard against acute threats from influenza and ionizing radiation, which could be encountered naturally, occupationally, or through a national security event.

The Biological Technologies Office is holding a Proposers Day meeting and webinar covering the new Personalized Protective Biosystem (PPB) program. PPB aims to develop technology that reduces the need for burdensome protective equipment while increasing individual protection against chemical and biological threats. The program comprises two technical areas: 1) reactive materials that prevent threat agent access to the body; 2) a configurable barrier countermeasure that neutralizes threat agents at vulnerable points of entry (i.e., skin, airway, ocular).

Chemical and biological (CB) threats have become increasingly ubiquitous and diverse. They present a risk to our stability operators in pandemic outbreak scenarios, and our warfighters serving in diverse operating environments. State-of-the-art protective equipment continues to severely limit mobility and performance of the user because of a dependence upon protective garments that are thick, heavy, and cumbersome. The Personalized Protective Biosystem (PPB) program aims to reduce protective equipment needs while increasing protection against existing and future CB threats.

Dr. Kerri Dugan joined DARPA as the deputy director of the Biological Technologies Office in August 2019.