DARPA: Epigenetic CHaracterization and Observation (ECHO) of WMD

DARPA's Epigenetic CHaracterization and Observation (ECHO) program will utilize an individual’s epigenome to reveal their history of exposure to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and WMD precursors. The program will build a field-deployable platform capable of using the epigenome to diagnose biothreat exposures and infections and support military forensics operations to counter-WMD proliferation.

TA1 will sequentially:

1) Generate molecular epigenetic datasets associated with relevant WMD and/orprecursor exposure

2) Characterize and define exposure-specific epigenetic signatures

3) Identify unknown exposures using the ESP

TA2 will build an integrated device to achieve:

1) Epigenetic molecular analysis integration

2) Onboard computational and bio-analytical capability

Funding: No fixed limit 

Duration: 4 years 

Research Authority due date: 15.3.18

Abstract (strongly encouraged) due date: 22.3.18

Full proposal due date: 3.5.18