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).

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

This announcement seeks revolutionary research ideas for topics not being addressed by ongoing BTO programs or other published solicitations.

The Personalized Protective Biosystem (PPB) program will develop an integrated ensemble that simultaneously reduces protective equipment needs while increasing protection for the individual against existing and future chemical and biological (CB) threats. The capability to provide unburdened CB protection will maximize time on target for the warfighter and the stability operator, provide operational flexibility, extend mission duration, and enable military operations in austere environments regardless of the threat. PPB will consist of lightweight materials that protect the warfighter from exposure to any CB threat while simultaneously providing a second layer of protection, at the tissue barrier, with bio-molecular, commensal organisms, or other technologies that protect the skin, eyes, and airway from CB threats. PPB will improve mission execution by solving the current ("state of the art") protective equipment limitations, including threat-specific vulnerabilities, thermal/logistical burdens, exposure risks during equipment removal/decontamination, and on-demand availability during unexpected threat situations.