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 United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014)
 Title 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 Chapter 149. NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS
 SubChapter IX. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 Part G. Science

  § 16317. Systems biology program  

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  • (a) Program(1) Establishment

    The Secretary shall establish a research, development, and demonstration program in microbial and plant systems biology, protein science, computational biology, and environmental science to support the energy, national security, and environmental missions of the Department.

    (2) Grants

    The program shall support individual researchers and multidisciplinary teams of researchers through competitive, merit-reviewed grants.

    (3) Consultation

    In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall consult with other Federal agencies that conduct genetic and protein research.

     (b) GoalsThe program shall have the goal of developing technologies and methods based on the biological functions of genomes, microbes, and plants that—(1) can facilitate the production of fuels, including hydrogen in sustainable production systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions;(2) convert carbon dioxide to organic carbon;(3) detoxify soils and water, including at facilities of the Department, contaminated with heavy metals and radiological materials;(4) develop cellulosic and other feedstocks that are less resource and land intensive and that promote sustainable use of resources, including soil, water, energy, forests, and land, and ensure protection of air, water, and soil quality; and(5) address other Department missions as identified by the Secretary. (c) Plan(1) Development of plan

    Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall prepare and transmit to Congress a research plan describing how the program authorized pursuant to this section will be undertaken to accomplish the program goals established in subsection (b).

    (2) Review of plan

    The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the research plan developed under this subsection. The Secretary shall transmit the review to Congress not later than 18 months after transmittal of the research plan under paragraph (1), along with the Secretary’s response to the recommendations contained in the review.

     (d) User facilities and ancillary equipment

    Within the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this part, amounts shall be available for projects to develop, plan, construct, acquire, or operate special equipment, instrumentation, or facilities, including user facilities at National Laboratories, for researchers conducting research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in systems biology and proteomics and associated biological disciplines.

     (e) Prohibition on biomedical and human cell and human subject research(1) No biomedical research

    In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall not conduct biomedical research.

    (2) LimitationsNothing in this section shall authorize the Secretary to conduct any research or demonstrations—(A) on human cells or human subjects; or(B) designed to have direct application with respect to human cells or human subjects.     (f) Bioenergy research centers(1) Establishment of centers

    In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish at least 7 bioenergy research centers, which may be of varying size.

    (2) Geographic distribution

    The Secretary shall establish at least 1 bioenergy research center in each Petroleum Administration for Defense District or Subdistrict of a Petroleum Administration for Defense District.

    (3) Goals

    The goals of the centers established under this subsection shall be to accelerate basic transformational research and development of biofuels, including biological processes.

    (4) Selection and duration(A) In general

    A center under this subsection shall be selected on a competitive basis for a period of 5 years.

    (B) Reapplication

    After the end of the period described in subparagraph (A), a grantee may reapply for selection on a competitive basis.

    (5) InclusionA center that is in existence on December 19, 2007—(A) shall be counted towards the requirement for establishment of at least 7 bioenergy research centers; and(B) may continue to receive support for a period of 5 years beginning on the date of establishment of the center.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, § 977, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 903; Pub. L. 110–140, title II, §§ 232(a), 233, Dec. 19, 2007, 121 Stat. 1537.)

References In Text

References in Text

This part, referred to in subsec. (d), was in the original “this subtitle”, meaning subtitle G (§§ 971–984A) of title IX of Pub. L. 109–58, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 898, which enacted this part and amended section 5523 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of subtitle G to the Code, see Tables.

Amendments

Amendments

2007—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(1), substituted “computational biology, and environmental science” for “and computational biology”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(2)(A), inserted “in sustainable production systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions” after “hydrogen”.

Subsec. (b)(4), (5). Pub. L. 110–140, § 232(a)(2)(B)–(D), added par. (4) and redesignated former par. (4) as (5).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 110–140, § 233, added subsec. (f).

Effective Date Of Amendment

Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–140 effective on the date that is 1 day after Dec. 19, 2007, see section 1601 of Pub. L. 110–140, set out as an Effective Date note under section 1824 of Title 2, The Congress.