"The PO-Driven Model": A Basic Science Pipeline for the Bioeconomy with Solutions Inspired by Convergent Evolution...

Area of Science:

• Bioeconomy
• Basic and Applied Research
• Scientific Collaboration

Background:

• Basic science research, or curiosity-driven research, lacks immediate economic goals but is crucial for applied research.
• The bioeconomy encompasses diverse biology-related fields, from natural history to healthcare.
• Current research funding models may not fully leverage interdisciplinary connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a Program Officer (PO)-driven model for enhancing innovation within the U.S. bioeconomy.
• To encourage federal granting agencies to facilitate collaborations between researchers with complementary interests.
• To highlight the potential of identifying and funding research inspired by convergent evolution.

Main Methods:

• Implementing a venture-capitalist-like, top-down funding approach.
• Encouraging Program Officers (POs) from agencies like NSF, DOE, DARPA, USDA, and NASA to identify and connect researchers.
• Facilitating team-building among scientists working on parallel or complementary research ideas, potentially unaware of each other's work.

Main Results:

• Anticipated acceleration of applied innovation through facilitated interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Increased scientific productivity by leveraging Program Officers' unique position to spot convergent evolution.
• Strengthening the U.S. bioeconomy by strategically investing in research connections.

Conclusions:

• A PO-driven model can significantly enhance the U.S. bioeconomy by fostering strategic research collaborations.
• Connecting researchers with similar evolutionary insights across disciplines can unlock novel avenues for discovery.
• Proactive facilitation by Program Officers is key to driving innovation from basic science to applied research.