Safeguarding Gene Synthesis

INTERNATIONAL BIOSECURITY AND BIOSAFETY INITIATIVE FOR SCIENCE (IBBIS)

International

2023

2023-24 Scale-up project

Overview

IBBIS strives for a world in which bioscience and biotechnology can advance and flourish safely and responsibly. They work collaboratively with global partners to strengthen biosecurity norms and develop innovative tools to uphold them.

Their initial work focuses on developing biosecurity tools and best practices for DNA synthesis providers to prevent the misuse of DNA synthesis technology. They developed a tool, the Common Mechanism, an internationally secure and globally accessible system for screening orders and customers.

Project's trajectory over past year

The Common Mechanism was launched in May 2024 as our free, open-source, globally available software package for synthesis screening. It is now featured on major screening tool lists for complying with government frameworks. It has been utilized to assess risks in areas such as DNA data storage, synthetic biology experiments, and during an AI protein engineering competition.

IBBIS has also developed comprehensive customer screening resources and hosted an international meeting on “Safeguarding the Responsible Transition to a Biobased Economy” in collaboration with CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) & WEF (World Economic Forum), to explore collaborative opportunities for promoting biosecurity.