Our Science

The Functional and Systems Biology Area focuses on elucidating and harnessing the biochemical pathways that connect gene functions to complex phenotypic responses through a deep understanding of interactions within cells, among cells in communities, and between cellular membrane surfaces and their environment for microbes, fungi, and plants.

The Environmental Transformations and Interactions Area focuses on the mechanistic and predictive understanding of environmental (physiochemical, hydrological, biogeochemical), microbial, plant and ecological processes in above and belowground ecosystems, the atmosphere, and their interfaces.

The Computing, Analytics, and Modeling Science Area focuses on advancing basic science by using the latest experimental data and computing methods, including AI and machine learning (ML), to develop a predictive understanding of biological and environmental systems through advanced data analytics, visualization, and computational modeling and simulation. Our cohesive approach to integrating experimental and computational methods advances predictive approaches to biodesign for biofuel and bioproduct production to bolster American manufacturing competitiveness and accelerates research to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying biological and hydro-biogeochemical processes.