42 U.S.C. § 18931 — Engineering biology and biometrology

(a) In general. The Director, working with the National Engineering Biology Research and Development Initiative, must: (1) fund basic measurement science and technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology, covering: (A) measurement technologies that help explain how DNA information turns into cell function; (B) technologies for measuring those biomolecular components and related systems; (C) new data tools, techniques, and processes to improve this research; and (D) other measurement science areas the Director decides are critical to developing and deploying engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology; (2) support activities that build the measurement infrastructure needed for technical standards, so biomolecular measurement technology and engineering biology applications can work together and be developed commercially; (3) bring together industry, colleges, nonprofits, federal labs, and other agencies working in engineering biology to build coordinated technical roadmaps for authoritative measurement of the molecules inside a cell; (4) give industry, colleges, nonprofits, and government agencies access to user facilities with advanced or unique equipment, services, materials, and other resources for research and testing; (5) set up or expand collaborative partnerships or consortia with other agencies, colleges, federal labs, and industry to advance engineering biology applications; and (6) support graduate and postgraduate research and training in biometrology, biomanufacturing, and engineering biology. (b) Rule of construction. Nothing in this section changes how any individual federal agency conducts or supports biomedical research and advanced development, including how it solicits and reviews outside research proposals, from how things worked the day before August 9, 2022. (c) Controls. When carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary must make sure proper security controls are in place to protect sensitive information, as appropriate.