We need the right data • diagnostics • vaccines before outbreaks become epidemics.
Work view
Proof-of-Concept
Poster: Secure Interrogation of Genomic Databases — ASM Biothreats 2018
We developed the Secure Interrogation of Genomic Databases (SIG-DB) algorithm to enable the interrogation of a privately held database with a sequence of interest to determine the presence of similar sequences, without compromising the query or database information.
Proof-of-Concept
GEMstone 2.0: Secure Interrogation of Genomic Databases — Project Report
IQT Labs has explored the application of secure computational information sharing techniques to enable a “query in place” approach while still maintaining the privacy of both query and database entities.
Proof-of-Concept
GEMstone 2.0: Detecting Evidence of Genetic Engineering — Project Report
IQT Labs B.Next and Lab41 have explored how applying machine learning (ML) approaches to DNA sequence analysis may provide “triage” tools that enable users to quickly assess the likelihood that the genome of a suspect organism has been engineered.
Thought Piece
The Promise of Ubiquitous DNA Sequencing: Sequencers as Sensors
This paper explores how new DNA sequencing technology is poised to transform epidemic detection and management through the broad availability of inexpensive, portable, and increasingly powerful devices.
Proof-of-Concept
Interactive Data Visualization for Public Health Applications: An Evaluation of Plotly’s Capabilities
This report outlines the methods and results of a B.Next project with Plotly, a company that creates open source tools for visualization, to further develop their existing web-based interface to create interactive cross-filtering visualizations with multivariate datasets for non-coders.
Thought Piece
Tackling the Next Epidemic: Data Technology to the Rescue
Integrating novel and available data technologies into public health practice will improve situational awareness, help shape outbreak interventions more precisely, facilitate faster and more efficient response activities, and save lives.
Publication
Tech Corner – A Technology Overview from IQT Portfolio Company Quanterix
To supplement the IQT Quarterly’s focus on technology trends, Tech Corner provides a practitioner’s point of view of a current challenge in the field and insight into an effective response.
Publication
The Weakest Link in Diagnostics May Be the Sample Itself
In the past two decades, two trends have given rise to a revolution in the next generation of diagnostic technologies.
Publication
Five Major Challenges for Pandemic Prediction and Prevention
Pandemics (diseases that spread globally) are rare events that are often devastating, causing substantial mortality and economic damage. Just like hurricanes or earthquakes, efforts to understand the origins of pandemics and predict their emergence would help reduce their impact and ultimately prevent them.
Publication
IQT Lab B.Next and the National Security Implications of 21st Century Life Sciences
B.Next, an IQT Lab, will explore a complex and increasingly urgent problem: how can we rapidly detect and quench epidemics of infectious disease.
Publication
In Silico Vaccine Design: Accelerating the Response to BioThreats and Emerging Infectious Disease
Smallpox, polio, measles — control of these lethal diseases is possible because of vaccines.
Publication
Early Warning for Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Q&A with Larry Madoff
An interview with Larry Madoff, Editor of The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED-mail).
Meeting Report
Capabilities and Problems Associated with Detecting Engineered Microorganisms & Deducing Function
This paper reports on a September 15, 2016 Roundtable Discussion convened by B.Next, an IQT Lab.
Meeting Report
Portable Sequencing for Infectious Disease Detection, Diagnosis, Discrimination, & Discovery
This paper reports on a February 28, 2017 Roundtable Discussion convened by B.Next, an IQT Lab.
Thought Piece
The Biorevolution is Enabling New Opportunities
We are living through a period of what may justly be called a revolution in our understanding of living organisms and how they operate.
Thought Piece
Biothreats Need to be Recognized as a Top National Security Concern
Large-scale, lethal epidemics are becoming more frequent, affecting more people, and spreading faster and farther than has been the case historically.
Publication
Outbreaks, Attacks and Accidents: Combatting Biological Threats
Testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation.
Thought Piece
Building an effective defense against biological threats: the Technology Advantage
The United States faces significant and growing national security threats from increasingly frequent and disruptive natural epidemics of infectious disease.
Publication
On our Radar: Defeating Infectious Disease
Why do outbreaks of infectious disease occur? Can we predict them? How do they spread? How can we respond to outbreaks more effectively? What is the role of technology in this response?