BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
The Biomedical Technology Program Element (PE) focuses on applied research for medical related technologies that will maintain warfighter health and performance before, during, or after operations. Successful technologies within this Program Element will maintain warfighter health against emerging threats through novel biothreat detection, rapid medical countermeasure identification and development, and distributed production of effective therapeutics. In-theater, warfighter health will be maintained through the development of field-relevant technologies such as reliable and accessible critical medical resources, novel detection and protection capabilities for traumatic brain injury, and rapid, effective triage of battlefield injuries. Technologies are also being developed to provide new capabilities for warfighter recovery from sustained injury including but not limited to spinal cord injury. Additionally, this PE will improve warfighter readiness by characterizing and assaying physical and cognitive performance to drive data-driven awareness. This PE also supports innovation and robust transition planning in the technology cycle by working with entrepreneurs to increase the likelihood that DARPA-funded technologies take root in the U.S. and provide new capabilities for national defense. Beginning in FY 2026, efforts in this PE will be funded in PE 0602024E, Warfighting Performance.
FY2025 accomplishments - Identified candidate delivery chassis and formulation strategies capable of delivering countermeasures. - Established assays/methodologies to monitor expression and availability of countermeasures in vitro and in vivo. - Initiated assessment of delivery chassis in multiple cell types. - Initiated assessment of delivery chassis for multiple MCMs.
FY2025 accomplishments - Designed an animal research testbed with prototypes for testing oxygen support and submitted supporting regulatory material. - Evaluated the feasibility of producing systems capable of autonomous monitoring and care in compact form factors. - Initiated method development for assessing injury care effectiveness and patient monitoring in austere domains. - Designed an animal research testbed with prototypes for testing hemorrhage support and submitted supporting regulatory material.
FY2025 accomplishments - Identified the best non-genetic RBC modification technologies and initiated design planning for device prototype(s). - Initiated a survey of potential RBC cargoes to define the limits of RBC capacity. - Initiated experiments to assess the type and character of cargoes that are compatible with RBC delivery. - Initiated an in vitro study on the impact of the RBC-modification process on RBC survival and function. - Analyzed and selected bioactive molecules to test in future in vivo safety studies.
FY2025 accomplishments - Initiated discovery of efficient inhibitors of novel genome editors. - Developed assays for demonstrating inhibition of genome editing in vitro. - Initiated characterization of novel genome editors and their associated inhibitors. - Initiated development of computational tools for identifying inhibitors of genome editors.
FY2025 accomplishments - Demonstrated conformational changes of candidate molecules induced by the onset and offset of NIR light. - Developed light sources capable of delivering desired wavelength of NIR light. - Delivered desired wavelength of NIR light at sufficient brain depth in a model of the human head.
FY2025 accomplishments - Initiated the characterization of microorganisms present in tissue samples from infected wounds. - Initiated the development of computational approaches and algorithms to accurately predict the healing outcome of individual wounds using datasets from human patients.
FY2025 accomplishments - Began initial design of a multi-modal system that enables the precision control and optimization of sleep architectures.
FY2025 accomplishments - Conducted the first large-scale field experimentation in a competition format. - Expanded database of trauma signatures with two additional sensor modalities. - Continued development of a virtual testbed for training and testing of virtual autonomous solutions, with additional casualty numbers, autonomy interface, and novel scenarios. - Evaluated approaches for stand-off capture of injury signature by semi-autonomous systems in a virtual scenario. - Evaluated field-portable triage solutions. - Evaluated approaches for stand-off capture of injury signature by semi-autonomous systems in a real-world (physical) simulation. - Conducted the second baseline design, development, and integration…
FY2025 accomplishments - Continued efficacy and safety assessments of therapeutic formulations against hemorrhage in animal models. - Tested stability over operationally important temperature ranges and storage durations exceeding current limits for whole blood using in vitro models. - Provided the initial proof of concept for scaled-up manufacturing of products. - Prepared for in vivo studies to demonstrate efficacy of stabilized products.
FY2025 accomplishments - Initiated evaluation of preliminary models for predicting physical and cognitive task readiness. - Developed non-integrated benchtop sensor procedures for molecular biomarkers. - Executed a demonstration of sensor outputs using saliva-based samples. - Continued class of sensor development for molecular biomarkers associated with physical and cognitive task readiness.
FY2025 accomplishments - Identified candidate molecular pathways to develop countermeasures. - Linked the first biological events to downstream cellular or molecular cascades known to result in cognitive, psychological, or behavioral symptoms of TBI in vivo. - Initiated characterization of biological molecules that can be modified by a drug. - Characterized molecular cascades following dosed blast exposure pressures.
FY2025 accomplishments - Evaluated efficacy of long-term multi-function restoration in preclinical models. - Assessed efficacy of function restoration and planned future strategies for clinical translation.
FY2025 accomplishments - Developed a functionally integrated system for DNA MCMs, including modules for automated DNA synthesis, purification, and analysis, and demonstrated suitability of product in small animal studies. - Initiated development of a system for R&D grade DNA, including modules for parallel DNA synthesis, purification, and analysis.