New series to explore biosciences

Few would disagree with author/physicist Freeman Dyson's prediction, "The dominant science of the 21st century will be biology."

From the mapping of the human genome to embryonic stem cell research, a new definition of biology has begun to emerge -- one that bridges the traditionally separate worlds of biomedicine, engineering, information technology and physical science. The goals of this "new biology" are nothing short of revolutionary: curing cancer, preventing genetic disease, manufacturing new organs and limbs, wiping out epidemics and restoring the environment -- to name a few.

In recognition of Stanford's leading role in the coming biological revolution, Stanford Report is launching "Frontiers in Biology" -- an occasional series of in-depth conversations with prominent researchers and policy makers on campus.

Our first interview is with Matthew Scott, professor of developmental biology and of genetics, who was appointed last January to chair Bio-X -- arguably the most ambitious interdisciplinary bioscience research effort in the world.

Governed by the dean of research and the deans of four schools (Medicine, Engineering, Earth Sciences, and Humanities and Sciences), Bio-X is a campuswide initiative designed to spur innovative discoveries in the life sciences by breaking down conventional walls among departments and disciplines.

The centerpiece of Bio-X is the James H. Clark Center for Biomedical Engineering and Sciences -- a state-of-the-art facility now under construction. When completed, the Clark Center will house faculty, students, postdocs and technicians with research interests in such areas as chemical biology (including the development of new molecules for medical research), biocomputation (including informatics, imaging and biomechanics), regenerative medicine, instrumentation and genomics.

But Bio-X goes well beyond the walls of the Clark Center to include dozens of faculty and students with laboratories located throughout the campus, says Scott, who, in addition to his duties as Bio-X chair, will continue his own research on the molecular biology of gene regulation -- how genes control growth in embryos, and how damage to those genes can result in cancer.

Scott discussed Bio-X and the future of biological research in an interview with science writer Mark Shwartz.