Biochemical Science Division Overview

About the Biochemical Science Division

Mission

The Biochemical Science Division provides biochemically based measurement methods, data, reference materials, and predictive models in support of the Material Measurement Laboratory role to provide, as the US National Reference Laboratory, the national system of chemical, physical, and biochemical measurements for advancing innovation and the commercialization of biotechnology.

Overview

The Biochemical Science Division provides support to the Nation in the broad area of the biochemical sciences to answer critical measurement, standards, and data needs. Our vision is to advance NIST’s status in the biological arena by providing the highest quality materials, methods and data impacting fields such health care where measurement errors can mean life or death. While the vast majority of our portfolio is focused on supporting the health industry (clinical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical) we also have significant efforts to support measurement needs related to forensics and homeland security. Our portfolio also includes smaller but growing efforts to support national needs in energy (as related to biofuels), and nanotechnology (as related to the environmental, health, and safety aspects).

As the first and only division at NIST completely devoted to the advancement and support of the biological sciences, the Biochemical Science Division provides a foundation for efforts to build a new expansive NIST-wide strategy to address growing National needs in this area. The Division has established a variety of long-range research programs to maintain critical expertise needed for the development of advanced measurement methods, Standard Reference Materials and databases for use by industry and other research enterprises. It fosters collaboration among NIST scientists conducting biochemical research, and raises the visibility of the NIST program, which leads to improved collaborations with industry, universities and other government agencies.

Core Competencies

The Biochemical Science Division provides the tools for the Nation’s biochemical measurement communities to enhance U.S. industry’s productivity and competitiveness, assure equity in trade, and improve public health, safety, environmental quality, and national security. As such, the Division expertise and competencies broadly span the following: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and cellomics. Some of our core competencies are in bioanalytical separations, mass spectrometry, biocatalysis, bioimaging, bioinformatics, biological database development, biomarkers, biomolecular interactions, cellular analysis (eukaryotic and prokaryotic), DNA analysis (methods and standards for DNA mutation and modification, as well as for forensic, clinical, and genetically modified organisms), microarrays, microfluidics, protein structure/function, quantitative cell biology, RNA structural analysis, tissue engineering, spectroscopies (Raman, NIR, IR, fluorescence).

Key Interactions with Customers

The Biochemical Science Division works closely with several federal customers in high visibility programs related to biosecurity, energy, environment, and human health. Calling out some of our larger programs, with the Department of Justice, the Division develops methods and standards to support and validate measurements for human identity based on DNA analysis. With the Department of Homeland Security, the Division develops methods and standards – both materials and documentary standards - to support and validate measurements for detecting biothreat agents (bacterial, protein, and viral). With the NCI, the Division develops methods and standards to support and validate measurements related to new clinical biomarkers for cancer. With the FDA, the Division works on the development of assays related to stem cell research and nanotoxicology. The Division also works with the Department of Energy to provide measurements and methods and databases related to biofuels.

Future Directions and Plans

Over the next five years, the Biochemical Science Division is planning for growth in several areas driven by customer input as well as emerging national needs and priorities. These areas include: biofuels, bioinformatics, clinical DNA measurements, protein metrology (glycoproteins and biologics), nanotoxicology (environmental, health and safety of engineered nanomaterials), clinical diagnostics and therapies (including stem cells and nanotherapeutics), and systems biology.©