
Ginkgo Bioworks and Northeastern University to Aid in CDC Funded Program for Epidemic Monitoring and Prevention
Ginkgo’s biosecurity and public health unit, Concentric by Ginkgo, is joining forces with Northeastern University as part of a new biosecurity partnership. Northeastern University has been awarded a grant by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lead an innovation center that aims to assist the United States in detecting and preparing for future outbreaks of infectious diseases over the next five years.
The CDC’s support will enable Northeastern to spearhead a nationwide consortium, encompassing various organizations, with a mission to develop robust systems capable of preparing local communities and healthcare facilities, even in remote regions, for potential future epidemics. As part of Northeastern’s partnership with the CDC, they have received a $17.5 million grant to manage the program over 5 years. Alessandro Vespignani, the director of Northeastern’s Network Science Institute and Sternberg Family Distinguished University Professor, will oversee this initiative named EPISTORM: The Center for Advanced Epidemic Analytics and Predictive Modeling Technology. Concentric by Ginkgo, known for its expertise in computational epidemiology, risk modeling, and social science, coupled with a well-established laboratory network, will play a pivotal role in the consortium.
Concentric will leverage its unique blend of skills to develop analytical tools including epidemic modeling and analytics utilizing travel-based pathogen genomic data and wastewater testing, digital biointelligence, and an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) framework designed to optimize response measures during epidemics. Additionally, Concentric will contribute to the development of AI-based early warning systems, capable of synthesizing multiple indicators to anticipate sudden changes in disease activity.
The EPISTORM consortium, led by Northeastern, comprises an esteemed group of institutions and organizations, including Boston University, Indiana University, the University of Florida, and the University of California at San Diego. It also includes the Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, MaineHealth, and Northern Light Health.
Dylan George, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, saying, “Each of the grantees will help us move the nation forward in our efforts to better prepare and respond to infectious disease outbreaks that threaten our families and our communities.”