Opportunities at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences

Summary

There is a clear need for a careful assessment of the scientific opportunities at the intersection of the physical and life sciences, as well as a need for strategic policies at the federal level to help bridge the traditional separations between these areas of research. What are the most compelling opportunities and what types of research can best enable new breakthroughs? What are some of the challenges associated with existing federal funding programs and how can mechanisms be enhanced to facilitate this type of research?

The National Academies is responding to these needs with proposed activities that approach the issue from both research and policy perspectives. The Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy is considering an activity that would examine federal research policies and the role of interagency cooperation in facilitating interdisciplinary research. Complementing this approach is a multidisciplinary planning workshop (including chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology) in December 2004 that will examine the intellectual landscape at this interface, identifying areas where there are opportunities to carry out forefront research. Chaired by Ken Keller of the University of Minnesota, this group of experts will map out the potential role for an Academies study on possible programs of research at this intersection.

Committee and Staff Members
Committee Membership	Kenneth H. Keller, University of Minnesota, Chair Howard C. Berg, Harvard University Steven M. Block, Stanford University Andrea W. Chow, Caliper Technologies Corporation William Eaton, NIDDK/NIH James M. Gentile, Research Corporation Judith Herzfeld, Brandeis University John J. Hopfield, Princeton University Roger D. Kornberg, Stanford University School of Medicine Martha A. Krebs, Science Strategies Jose N. Onuchic, University of California at San Diego Gregory A. Petsko, Brandeis University Donald Prosnitz, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Burt Richter, Stanford University Julie A. Theriot, Stanford University School of Medicine David A. Tirrell, California Institute of Technology Peter G. Wolynes, University of California at San Diego
NRC Staff	Donald C. Shapero, Director, Board on Physics and Astronomy Fran Sharples, Director, Board on Life Sciences Timothy I. Meyer, Program Officer

Meetings
December 11-12, 2004 Stanford Linear Accelerator Center Menlo Park, California

Related Links

We are pleased to acknowledge support for the National Research Council’s Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Division on Earth and Life Studies for this activity.