Convergence of Chemistry and Biology: Report of the Scientific
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CONVERGENCE OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY REPORT OF THE SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD’S TEMPORARY WORKING GROUP JUNE 2014 ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS Convergence of Chemistry and Biology Report of the Scientific Advisory Board’s Temporary Working Group Adopted by the Scientific Advisory Board at its Twenty-First Session, 27 June 2014. Issued by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons as SAB/REP/1/14. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Convergence of Chemistry and Biology Report of the Scientific Advisory Board’s Temporary Working Group Table of Contents Executive Summary...................................................................................................... 3 Recommendations to the Director-General ............................................................ 4 1. Objectives of the TWG on Convergence of Chemistry and Biology ................. 6 2. Findings of the TWG.............................................................................................. 8 The processes that are used in the biologically mediated synthesis of chemicals (TOR 3a i)............................................................................................................... 8 Fermentation Technology and Metabolic Engineering .................................. 8 Enzymes/Biocatalysts ..................................................................................... 9 Synthetic Biology ........................................................................................... 9 Achievements in Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology................. 10 Relevance of Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology to Convergence Issues within the OPCW’s Remit ................................................................. 11 The extent of use of biologically mediated synthesis in commercial chemical production (TOR 3a ii).......................................................................................... 12 The use of biologically mediated techniques for the synthesis of toxic chemicals and the application of biologically mediated processes for the synthesis/production of toxins and bioregulators, and future trends (TOR 3a iv and 3a iii) .............................................................................................................. 13 Scheduled Chemicals.................................................................................... 13 Toxins ........................................................................................................... 14 Bioregulators................................................................................................. 15 Chemical synthesis of agents of biological origin (e.g. bioregulators) and of replicating systems (TOR 3b) ............................................................................... 16 Toxins and Bioregulators.............................................................................. 16 Nucleic Acids................................................................................................ 16 Viruses and Bacteria ..................................................................................... 17 Whether any biotechnological processes exist, other than biologically mediated synthesis, that are of relevance to the implementation of the CWC; (i.e. whether the types of production equipment and processes may pose a significant risk to the object and purpose of the Convention) (TOR 3c)................................................. 17 1 The Meaning of “Produced by Synthesis” as per subparagraph 1(a) of part IX of the CWC Verification Annex (TOR 3d)........................................................... 17 The potential benefits to the CWC of the convergence of chemistry and biology (which might include e.g. protective measures, medical countermeasures, and diagnostics) (TOR 3e)........................................................................................... 18 Medical Countermeasures............................................................................. 18 Enzymes for Decontamination...................................................................... 19 Protective Equipment.................................................................................... 20 Detection and Biosensors.............................................................................. 20 Whether there are other scientific disciplines, apart from biology, that are converging in a significant way with chemistry, and whether it is possible to identify triggers or early-warning indicators for potential game-changing events that might have implications (whether positive or negative) for the CWC (TOR 3f)................................................................................................................ 21 Nanotechnology............................................................................................ 21 Other Scientific Disciplines.......................................................................... 23 The temporary working group will also advise on how to bring together expertise on the Biological Weapons Convention and Chemical Weapons Convention in order to discuss areas of common interest between the two Conventions and share knowledge related to convergence (TOR 4) ......................................................... 23 3. Conclusions and Recommendations ................................................................... 23 On developments in biological and biologically-mediated processes.......... 23 On scheduled chemicals................................................................................ 24 On toxins....................................................................................................... 24 On bioregulators ........................................................................................... 25 On replicating organisms, such as bacteria and viruses................................ 25 On benefits to decontamination .................................................................... 25 On benefits to protective equipment............................................................. 26 On benefits to detection and biosensors ....................................................... 26 On convergence with other scientific disciplines ......................................... 26 On bringing together expertise on the BWC and CWC in order to discuss areas of common interest and share relevant knowledge ............................. 27 On the meaning of “Produced by Synthesis” as per subparagraph 1(a) of Part IX of the CWC Verification Annex.............................................................. 28 4. Glossary................................................................................................................. 29 Annex 1: Temporary Working Group on the Convergence of Chemistry and Biology Terms of Reference.................................................................. 38 Annex 2: Temporary Working Group on the Convergence of Chemistry and Biology Participants............................................................................... 40 2 Executive Summary Bulk and fine chemicals are being produced increasingly using biologically mediated processes, e.g. by microbial fermentation or using enzymes as catalysts. It is estimated that approximately 10% of chemical production volume will use such processes by 2020. 1 This trend is being driven by commercial and environmental factors, and particularly by competition for conventional feedstocks. Key enabling technologies have resulted in a rapidly expanding capability to redesign or manipulate organisms for specific purposes, and the ability to design and engineer improved enzymes (such as through metabolic engineering, enzyme engineering, synthetic biology, or traditional recombinant DNA technology). Although there are concerns that biotechnology could be applied to the production of new toxic chemicals, bioregulators and toxins, the temporary working group (TWG) assessed that potential applications to scheduled chemicals are currently limited. Scaling up a new biological process will continue to take a considerable investment of capital, resources and time; these considerations could reduce the likelihood of using such methods for large scale production of chemicals of concern, however, biomediated processes might still be effective for producing weaponisable quantities of toxins that are lethal to adult humans in microgram or lower dosage. It was also noted that similar concerns were raised in the early days of recombinant DNA technology. In parallel to biotechnological innovation, substantial advances have been made in the chemical synthesis of molecules of biological origin. Commercial DNA synthesis has advanced to the point where whole genomes (an organism's total genetic material) can be synthesised and compiled, and viruses, including influenza 2 and coronavirus 3, have been reconstructed. Parallel research has enabled the rational engineering of viral capsids. 4 Advances in the semi-automated synthesis of peptides have enhanced the ability to synthesise bioregulatory chemicals that mediate functioning of the body and other peptides with high physiological activity. Increased sophistication in organic chemistry has enabled the chemical synthesis of increasingly more complex biological molecules, including toxins, although generally on a scale that poses no threat to the purposes of the Convention. Enabling technologies have been, and will remain,