Appendix CNTR Fact Sheet DNA Sequencing, Synthesis and Screening
Sources and Further Readings for the Fact Sheet “DNA Sequencing, Synthesis, and Screening in Biosecurity”
Dr. Kadri Reis (CNTR/PRIF). December 2024
These articles and reports take a closer look at DNA/NGS/Metagenomic Sequencing:
- Traditional Sanger Sequencing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanger_sequencing; https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/EE/en/technical-documents/protocol/genomics/sequencing/sanger-sequencing; https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/knowledge-hub/sanger-sequencing/)
- History and Timeline: https://frontlinegenomics.com/a-brief-history-of-next-generation-sequencing-ngs/
- On NGS: Satam, H.; Joshi, K.; Mangrolia, U.; Waghoo, S.; Zaidi, G.; Rawool, S.; Thakare, R.P.; Banday, S.; Mishra, A.K.; Das, G.; et al. Next-Generation Sequencing Technology: Current Trends and Advancements. Biology 2023, 12, 997. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12070997
- NGS (and metagenomics) in defense: https://www.asimov.press/p/defense-forward-biosecurity
- Metagenomic sequencing of wastewater: Inferring the sensitivity of wastewater metagenomic sequencing for virus detection and monitoring. Simon L. Grimm, Jeff T. Kaufman, Daniel P. Rice, Charles Whittaker, William J. Bradshaw, Michael R. McLaren. medRxiv 2023.12.22.23300450; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.12.22.23300450
More on DNA synthesis:
- Ma S, Tang N, Tian J. DNA synthesis, assembly and applications in synthetic biology. Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2012 Aug;16(3-4):260-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2012.05.001. Epub 2012 May 25. PMID: 22633067; PMCID: PMC3424320. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1367593112000622?via%3Dihub
- Hughes RA, Ellington AD. Synthetic DNA Synthesis and Assembly: Putting the Synthetic in Synthetic Biology. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2017 Jan 3;9(1):a023812. doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a023812. PMID: 28049645; PMCID: PMC5204324. https://cshperspectives.cshlp.org/content/9/1/a023812
- Hoose, A., Vellacott, R., Storch, M. et al. DNA synthesis technologies to close the gene writing gap. Nat Rev Chem 7, 144–161 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-022-00456-9
- On misuse/risks: https://ifp.org/preventing-the-misuse-of-dna-synthesis/
DNA synthesis screening:
- Benchtop DNA Synthesis Devices: Capabilities, Biosecurity Implications, and Governance https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/benchtop-dna-synthesis-devices-capabilities-biosecurity-implications-and-governance/
- Preventing the Misuse of DNA Synthesis Technology https://www.nti.org/about/programs-projects/project/preventing-the-misuse-of-dna-synthesis-technology/
- The common mechanism: https://ibbis.bio/our-work/common-mechanism/
- Developing a Common Global Baseline for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening. Nicole E. Wheeler, Sarah R. Carter, Tessa Alexanian, Christopher Isaac, Jaime Yassif, and Piers Millet. Applied Biosafety 2024 29:2, 71-78. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/apb.2023.0034
- IGSC’s Harmonized Screening Protocol: https://genesynthesisconsortium.org/wp-content/uploads/IGSCHarmonizedProtocol11-21-17.pdf
- the Framework for Nucleic Acid Synthesis Screening from the White House : https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Nucleic-Acid_Synthesis_Screening_Framework.pdf
- UK screening guidance for synthetic nucleic acids: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-screening-guidance-on-synthetic-nucleic-acids/uk-screening-guidance-on-synthetic-nucleic-acids-for-users-and-providers
- German project analyzing risks from biotechnology and AI: https://www.tab-beim-bundestag.de/english/projects_biotechnology-and-artificial-intelligence-risks-from-research-for-security-and-proliferation-of-biological-weapons.php
- The EU itself has not yet passed regulations on the issue. www.euronews.com/next/2023/12/14/brussels-should-know-ai-assisted-bioterrorism-is-a-risk-worth-considering