New paper update: screening a DNA order means checking the sequence and also checking the customer ordering it. This paper sets out the emerging standards for customer screening, written by IBBIS while building our own screening forms. Read: www.frontiersin.org/journals/bio...

Frontiers | Implementing emerging customer screening standards for nucleic acid synthesis

The decision to fulfill an order for synthetic nucleic acids hinges on whether the customer can be trusted to receive them. A consensus on customer screening...

frontiersin.org

Speaking at the 9th BWC Working Group session, IBBIS Deputy Director O'Neil Hamilton made the case for synthetic DNA screening: it lowers biological risk, serves public health needs, and is consistent with obligations under the Convention.

New paper update: providers screen DNA orders against lists of known pathogens and toxins, and AI protein design can rewrite a sequence past those lists. This IBBIS co-authored paper ran redesigned sequences, cut into fragments, through four screening tools.

We're welcoming Ivet A. Yordanova and Chris Chung as technical fellows to the Sequence Biosecurity Risk Consortium. Ivet is a viral immunologist trained to BSL-4; Chris comes from structural biology and computational work on dual-use risk. Read more: sbrc.bio

Introducing commec-in-a-box: DNA order screening for providers without the technical staff, compute, or command line. A mini PC arrives ready to run, staff paste a sequence into a page on their own network, and results come back in under a second.

commec just got a brand new update! The reference database is now ~100x smaller to download, with no loss in screening performance. A 1,000-sequence set screens in under 15 minutes on a laptop. And its free and open-source! Check it out here: commec.ibbis.bio

At Shanghai #WAIC2026 IBBIS convened a closed-door workshop on AI and biosecurity with Concordia AI. Making the case for AI model-level safeguards and screening at the point of synthesis.

Major Updates to the Global DNA Synthesis Map! 🧵

We're in Kuala Lumpur for #GHS2026 by the @ghsnetwork.bsky.social and our delegation has a packed schedule across all four days.

A busy and rewarding week for IBBIS at the #BWC Working Group in Geneva: • Engaged with multiple delegations • Officially launched the Global DNA Synthesis Map: globalsynthesismap.bio • Discussed with UNODA and @nti.org Biosecurity Fellows Grateful for the many exchanges throughout the week.

Pandora Report 12.12.2025❄️ This issue includes the latest developments in synthetic biology with the launch of @ibbis-bio.bsky.social Global DNA Synthesis Map, the spread of avian influenza from vampire bats in Peru, and chemical weapons accountability in Syria and the U.K. pandorareport.org

The Pandora Report

Where Science Meets Security

pandorareport.org

IBBIS launched the Global DNA Synthesis Map on Dec 9, on the sidelines of the BWC Working Group. Huge thanks to our expert panel, partners, and to Mayra Ameneiros for leading the project. Explore here: globalsynthesismap.bio

At the launch of the GlobalSynthesisMap.bio platform this morning—enabling you to see where #DNA is synthesized and gets distributed. Bravo @ibbis-bio.bsky.social!

The Global DNA Synthesis Map is now live. A first-of-its-kind public overview of DNA synthesis governance, screening practices & regulatory frameworks worldwide: globalsynthesismap.bio A key evidence base for diplomats, policymakers & biosecurity experts. #DNAmap #SynthesisDNA

Tomorrow at the BWC, IBBIS will launch the Global DNA Synthesis Map: the first public global view of DNA synthesis providers, screening practices & policy frameworks. Stay tuned. #DNAmap #Biosecurity

DNA synthesis screening just got practical🧬 Introducing the IBBIS Technical Consortium: global experts and organisations uniting to turn DNA screening standards into actionable tools, reducing security gaps across synthetic biology. Learn more: ibbis.bio/ibbis-launch...

On October 29 at the @igemhq.bsky.social Responsibility Conference, Tessa Alexanian & Jake Beal announced the Sequence Biosecurity Risk Consortium — a global effort to standardize and strengthen biosecurity screening for synthetic DNA/RNA. Learn more: sbrc.bio #biosecurity #synbio

IBBIS joined NATO’s first-ever biotechnology conference on 28 Oct in Brussels. Leaders included NATO SG Mark Rutte & Belgian PM Bart De Wever to discuss advances in responsible biotech innovation. #Biosecurity #SynBio #Innovation #NATO

Comme le souligne Sophie Peresson dans @lemonde.fr le futur EU Biotech Act pourrait rendre obligatoire le contrôle de la synthèse d’ADN pour protéger science, investissement et confiance. www.lemonde.fr/sciences/art... @hnirom.bsky.social

« Mieux encadrer la biotechnologie est un accélérateur d’innovation »

TRIBUNE. Pendant que les Etats-Unis et le Royaume-Uni adoptent des politiques pour encadrer la synthèse d’ADN, l’Europe tergiverse. Un retard qui pourrait coûter cher à une bioéconomie pesant 728 mill...

lemonde.fr

The first IBBIS Newsletter is here! 👉 Read it below to stay up to date on our milestones, events, and reflections — and make sure you don’t miss the next edition by subscribing: tinyurl.com/42dj53tj

Leaders from synthetic biology call on the EU to embed harmonised DNA synthesis screening in the upcoming EU Biotech Act—a gateway to trust, investment & scale-up — not a barrier to innovation. Read: ibbis.bio/leaders-call... @yoshuabengio.bsky.social @panaction.bsky.social @pourdemain.bsky.social

European synthetic biology leaders call for stronger biosecurity in EU Biotech Act - IBBIS

A coalition of leading organisations from the synthetic biology, biotechnology, and health security communities is launching a joint position paper urging the European Commission to embed harmonised D...

ibbis.bio

“Biothreat hunters catch dangerous DNA before it gets made.” We are super proud to be part of this red team effort with @erichorvitz.bsky.social & @msftresearch.bsky.social. @silverjacket.bsky.social, @ibbis-bio.bsky.social, @jaimeyassif.bsky.social, @twistbioscience.com

Biothreat hunters catch dangerous DNA before it gets made

Microsoft researchers found a biological zero-day vulnerability — and created a software patch.

nature.com

Microsoft’s latest Ideas podcast features IBBIS' Technical Lead @tessafyi.bsky.social discussing the Paraphrase Project —an exploration of AI-powered protein design that revealed both the risks and safeguards needed to ensure AI’s safe use in biotechnology, with key experts.

Microsoft Research@msftresearch.bsky.social · 11mo ago

In “Ideas,” collaborators Eric Horvitz, Bruce Wittmann, Tessa Alexanian, & James Diggans discuss a red-teaming effort that exposed & secured a biosecurity vulnerability in AI-driven protein design—& what the work shows about managing AI’s dual-use risks. msft.it/6010sLYsr

AI-designed proteins pose new risks, but DNA synthesis screening can adapt. IBBIS and @msftresearch.bsky.social (@erichorvitz.bsky.social) show how red-teaming can safely strengthen biosecurity, introducing tiered-access for sensitive data—the first of its kind. Read more: ibbis.bio/new-study-se...

New study sets a precedent for responsible AI and biosecurity - IBBIS

The paper shows screening tools can be made resilient to AI protein designs and sets a precedent for responsible red-teaming of synthesis screening.

ibbis.bio