DoD spins up supercomputer to accelerate biothreat defense
(2024/08/17)
- Reference: 1723849927
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/08/16/dod_drug_discovery_supercomputer/
- Source link:
The Pentagon's newest toy isn't a fancy warfighting machine – it's a combined supercomputer and rapid response laboratory (RRL) dedicated to beefing up the US's biodefenses.
Located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, the [1]new machine , built in cooperation with the National Nuclear Security Agency, will feature the same architecture as LLNL's [2]upcoming [3]El Capitan exascale supercomputer, with its [4]AMD MI300A APUs .
Specifics of the system's hardware, and whether it will use existing drug discovery algorithms or government-developed ones, weren't shared.
[5]
It will be used to advance both military and civilian defenses against biological threats using large-scale simulations, AI modeling, classification of threats, and, with the combination of a new RRL, to speed the development of medical countermeasures.
[6]
[7]
"Some of [the] countermeasures that we're going to develop in this unique environment are going to be extremely important, because we're talking about taking solutions down to days, if not hours," [8]said Darryl Colvin, joint program executive officer for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense. "This computing power is going to be something that we're going to use on a regular basis."
And let's be realistic – AI drug development systems can also be [9]modified to create deadly bioweapons , not that we're saying the Pentagon would use its new supercomputer to that end.
[10]
For those unfamiliar with the concept of biodefense, it's a collection of measures used to counter both natural and man-made biological threats to military assets, as well as civilians and environmental resources like water and food, impacts to any of which can have a negative effect on warfighters' abilities.
Because of the wide-reaching impact of biological threats, use of the new supercomputer will also be available to other US government agencies, international allies, academia, and industry.
The RRL, on the other hand, is being stood up just "a short walk away from the computing facility" to complement the Department of Defense's Chemical and Biological Defense Program's Generative Unconstrained Intelligent Drug Engineering ( [11]GUIDE ) program by marrying its existing capabilities with advanced supercomputing.
[12]
GUIDE focuses on developing medical countermeasures "by leveraging machine learning-backed antibody design, experimental data, structural biology, bioinformatic modeling, and molecular simulations," LLNL said. The new supercomputer "will allow DoD and the NNSA Tri-Labs [LLNL, Sandia, and Los Alamos] to perform rapid and iterative testing of computationally designed vaccines and antibody drugs."
[13]DeepMind spinoff Isomorphic claims AlphaFold 3 predicts bio-matter down to the DNA
[14]Beyond the hype, AI promises leg up for scientific research
[15]Cheyenne supercomputer sells at auction for just $480K
[16]Intel's annus horribilis continues as AMD gains ground
That lab is automated too. According to LLNL, the RRL includes molecular characterization rooms that contain automated robots and machinery that can simultaneously re-engineer proteins and countermeasure candidates to accelerate the initial phases of drug discovery, which involves identifying disease targets.
Jim Brase, LLNL's deputy associate director for computing, said that having a lab connected to a supercomputing facility dedicated to improving biodefense has "transformative potential" for biological threat detection and response.
"This isn't about one project, or one particular biothreat or chemical agent, this is about building this broad national capability, so that no matter what comes up or what we see coming down the road, we can rapidly assess and respond to it," Brase said.
It's not clear if non-DoD partners will also have access to the RRL, or if the supercomputer and lab are up and running yet. We've reached out to LLNL and the DoD to learn more. ®
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3875539/dod-introduces-new-supercomputer-focused-on-biodefense-capabilities/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/13/aurora_breaks_the_exaflop_barrier/
[3] https://www.nextplatform.com/2023/06/07/talking-novel-architectures-and-el-capitan-with-lawrence-livermore/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/06/amd_mi300_gpu/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
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[8] https://www.llnl.gov/article/51621/llnl-dod-nnsa-dedicate-rapid-response-laboratory-supercomputing-system-accelerate-biodefense
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/18/ai_weapons_learning/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://guide.llnl.gov/
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/09/google_deepmind_alphafold3_model/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/02/beyond_the_hype_ai_promises/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/06/cheyenne_supercomputer_sold/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/09/intel_amd_market_research/
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, the [1]new machine , built in cooperation with the National Nuclear Security Agency, will feature the same architecture as LLNL's [2]upcoming [3]El Capitan exascale supercomputer, with its [4]AMD MI300A APUs .
Specifics of the system's hardware, and whether it will use existing drug discovery algorithms or government-developed ones, weren't shared.
[5]
It will be used to advance both military and civilian defenses against biological threats using large-scale simulations, AI modeling, classification of threats, and, with the combination of a new RRL, to speed the development of medical countermeasures.
[6]
[7]
"Some of [the] countermeasures that we're going to develop in this unique environment are going to be extremely important, because we're talking about taking solutions down to days, if not hours," [8]said Darryl Colvin, joint program executive officer for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense. "This computing power is going to be something that we're going to use on a regular basis."
And let's be realistic – AI drug development systems can also be [9]modified to create deadly bioweapons , not that we're saying the Pentagon would use its new supercomputer to that end.
[10]
For those unfamiliar with the concept of biodefense, it's a collection of measures used to counter both natural and man-made biological threats to military assets, as well as civilians and environmental resources like water and food, impacts to any of which can have a negative effect on warfighters' abilities.
Because of the wide-reaching impact of biological threats, use of the new supercomputer will also be available to other US government agencies, international allies, academia, and industry.
The RRL, on the other hand, is being stood up just "a short walk away from the computing facility" to complement the Department of Defense's Chemical and Biological Defense Program's Generative Unconstrained Intelligent Drug Engineering ( [11]GUIDE ) program by marrying its existing capabilities with advanced supercomputing.
[12]
GUIDE focuses on developing medical countermeasures "by leveraging machine learning-backed antibody design, experimental data, structural biology, bioinformatic modeling, and molecular simulations," LLNL said. The new supercomputer "will allow DoD and the NNSA Tri-Labs [LLNL, Sandia, and Los Alamos] to perform rapid and iterative testing of computationally designed vaccines and antibody drugs."
[13]DeepMind spinoff Isomorphic claims AlphaFold 3 predicts bio-matter down to the DNA
[14]Beyond the hype, AI promises leg up for scientific research
[15]Cheyenne supercomputer sells at auction for just $480K
[16]Intel's annus horribilis continues as AMD gains ground
That lab is automated too. According to LLNL, the RRL includes molecular characterization rooms that contain automated robots and machinery that can simultaneously re-engineer proteins and countermeasure candidates to accelerate the initial phases of drug discovery, which involves identifying disease targets.
Jim Brase, LLNL's deputy associate director for computing, said that having a lab connected to a supercomputing facility dedicated to improving biodefense has "transformative potential" for biological threat detection and response.
"This isn't about one project, or one particular biothreat or chemical agent, this is about building this broad national capability, so that no matter what comes up or what we see coming down the road, we can rapidly assess and respond to it," Brase said.
It's not clear if non-DoD partners will also have access to the RRL, or if the supercomputer and lab are up and running yet. We've reached out to LLNL and the DoD to learn more. ®
Get our [17]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3875539/dod-introduces-new-supercomputer-focused-on-biodefense-capabilities/
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/13/aurora_breaks_the_exaflop_barrier/
[3] https://www.nextplatform.com/2023/06/07/talking-novel-architectures-and-el-capitan-with-lawrence-livermore/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/06/amd_mi300_gpu/
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
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[8] https://www.llnl.gov/article/51621/llnl-dod-nnsa-dedicate-rapid-response-laboratory-supercomputing-system-accelerate-biodefense
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/18/ai_weapons_learning/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://guide.llnl.gov/
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/hpc&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZsAgaICrCEaDy3krv7OSywAAARc&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/09/google_deepmind_alphafold3_model/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2023/08/02/beyond_the_hype_ai_promises/
[15] https://www.theregister.com/2024/05/06/cheyenne_supercomputer_sold/
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2024/08/09/intel_amd_market_research/
[17] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
... both military and civilian defenses against biological threats using large-scale simulations...
Bitsminer
Why do I hear the theme music from The Andromeda Strain now playing in my head?
Keep it reeling ...
Anonymous Coward
Sounds like a much needed computationally-oriented extension to the [1]S.15-Project Bioshield Act of 2004 (then focused on anthrax, botulinum, smallpox, and radiation).
Notable also that the U.S. Intelligence [2]Worldwide Threat Assessment had figured by 2019 that we were " vulnerable to the next flu pandemic [...] that could lead to massive rates of death [...], severely affect the world economy, [and] strain international resources " -- as COVID-19 did the following year -- and we were still not well-prepared for that then (no masks ...).
Hopefully this computational oomph can help prevent the stalling of our industry and economy, along with supply chain disruptions, that we've seen since COVID, that are still affecting us today (CHIPs Act should help too).
Most importantly though, this initiative will hopefully help keep shelves supplied with toilet paper and Lysol, preventing the severe shortages that so threatened the biosecurity of household bathrooms the world over during the last pandemic, generating the longest-lasting of traumatic PTSDs, in the sun-don't-shine-orifice butt-wiping hygiene management department!
[1] https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/bioshield/
[2] https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/2019-ATA-SFR---SSCI.pdf
Well Mpox is flaring up...
... looking for the cure by tomorrow morning.