Biological and Environmental Research | Department of Energy

Biological and Environmental Research | Department of Energy
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Biological and Environmental Research
The Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program supports scientific research and facilities to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, earth, and environmental systems with the aim of advancing the nation’s energy and infrastructure security. The program seeks to discover the underlying biology of plants and microbes as they respond to and modify their environments. This knowledge enables the reengineering of microbes and plants for energy and other applications. BER research also advances understanding of the dynamic processes needed to model the Earth system, including atmospheric, land masses, ocean, sea ice, and subsurface processes.
Over the last three decades, BER has transformed biological and Earth system science. We helped map the human genome and lay the foundation for modern biotechnology. We pioneered the initial research on atmospheric and ocean circulation that eventually led to climate and Earth system models. In the last decade, BER research has made considerable advances in biology underpinning the production of biofuels and bioproducts from renewable biomass, spearheaded progress in genome sequencing and genomic science, and strengthened the predictive capabilities of ecosystem and global scale models using the world’s fastest computers.
BER supports three DOE Office of Science user facilities, the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility, Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), and Joint Genome Institute (JGI). These facilities house unique world-class scientific instruments and capabilities that are available to the entire research community on a competitive, peer review basis. Additionally, four DOE Bioenergy Research Centers were established to pursue innovative early-stage research on bio-based products, clean energy, and next-generation bioenergy technologies.
Learn more about the BER mission and how we support it.
Video Url
The Office of Science’s Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program supports scientific research and facilities to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, earth, and environmental systems. It brings together teams of researchers and resources to solve environmental problems for the nation and the world. This video is an overview of BER’s mission, people, and resources.
Video courtesy of DOE's Office of Science
BER Science Highlights
Modeling Storm Clouds Caused by Extreme Wildfires
A new study integrates fire processes into an Earth system model to help scientists simulate and better understand the impacts of pyrocumulonimbus clouds.
about Modeling Storm Clouds Caused by Extreme Wildfires
March 12, 2026
Redesigned Hepatitis C Drug Becomes a Powerful New Treatment for COVID-19
Scientists transformed an old drug into a potent COVID-19 treatment effective against drug-resistant variants.
about Redesigned Hepatitis C Drug Becomes a Powerful New Treatment for COVID-19
February 19, 2026
A Standout Solvent for Today’s Biorefineries
Researchers identify butylamine as a promising solution to many challenges at biorefineries.
about A Standout Solvent for Today’s Biorefineries
February 5, 2026
Exploring the Potential of a Formate-Based Bioeconomy
Researchers demonstrated an efficient strain of bacteria for bioproduction that grows on the promising feedstock formate.
about Exploring the Potential of a Formate-Based Bioeconomy
February 3, 2026
Not Lost in Translation: Algae Show How to Make Two Proteins from One Messenger RNA
Scientists uncover a hidden feature of protein translation in green algae, offering a new perspective on the basic rules of gene expression.
about Not Lost in Translation: Algae Show How to Make Two Proteins from One Messenger RNA
December 1, 2025
Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress
Study provides a framework for connecting genetic mechanisms and trait variation across diverse yeast species.
about Machine Learning Reveals Genes That Help Yeasts Resist Stress
September 29, 2025
A Deeper Look into Fungal Species Reveals Biomanufacturing Potential
Researchers investigate the connections between Aspergillus species, demonstrating their usefulness for producing biofuels and bioproducts.
about A Deeper Look into Fungal Species Reveals Biomanufacturing Potential
September 25, 2025
Investigating Cyanobacteria’s Many Paths to Adaptation
A new approach accelerates how quickly scientists can identify genes involved in environmental acclimation and understand bacterial stress.
about Investigating Cyanobacteria’s Many Paths to Adaptation
September 2, 2025
Robotic Lab Revolutionizes Plant Bioengineering
A fast, automated, and high-throughput pipeline is improving the speed of plant engineering
about Robotic Lab Revolutionizes Plant Bioengineering
August 26, 2025
Peering into the Soil: New Technology Maps Nutrient Exchange with Laser Precision
A novel laser-based method provides unprecedented detail on the nutrient cycle in root ecosystems.
about Peering into the Soil: New Technology Maps Nutrient Exchange with Laser Precision
July 28, 2025
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BER Program News
Department of Energy Announces $19.5 Million for Integrated Biological and Computational Low Dose Radiation Research
about Department of Energy Announces $19.5 Million for Integrated Biological and Computational Low Dose Radiation Research
Department of Energy Announces $5 Million for Research for Climate Resilience Centers
about Department of Energy Announces $5 Million for Research for Climate Resilience Centers
Department of Energy Announces $4.7 Million for Research on Integrative Computational Tools for Systems Biology Research
about Department of Energy Announces $4.7 Million for Research on Integrative Computational Tools for Systems Biology Research
Department of Energy Announces $13.1 Million for Environmental Systems Science
about Department of Energy Announces $13.1 Million for Environmental Systems Science
Department of Energy Announces $15.3 Million for Atmospheric System Research
about Department of Energy Announces $15.3 Million for Atmospheric System Research
BER Subprograms
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Biological Systems Science
Research to understand complex interactions that determine the function of biological systems, from single cells to plants.
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Earth and Environmental System Sciences
Research on atmosphere, land, and water components and interactions that help inform regional and global earth system modeling.
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DOE Bioenergy Research Centers
Supports fundamental research addressing the challenge of converting renewable plant biomass (non-food) to biofuels and bioproducts.
BER DOE Office of Science User Facilities
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Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM)
Observation network for understanding cloud and aerosol interactions with the Earth’s surface.
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Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
Houses more than 50 premier instruments and modeling resources that can be accessed to understand the physical, chemical, and cellular processes of biological and environmental systems.
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Joint Genome Institute
Provides the research community with high throughput DNA sequencing, synthesis and analysis of plants, microorganisms and microbiomes in support of BER biological systems science research.
BER Research Resources
Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division Strategic Plan
about Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division Strategic Plan
Biological Systems Science Division 2021 Strategic Plan
about Biological Systems Science Division 2021 Strategic Plan
Grand Challenges for Biological and Environmental Research
about Grand Challenges for Biological and Environmental Research
BER Workshop Reports
about BER Workshop Reports
Funding Opportunities
about Funding Opportunities
Contact Information
Biological and Environmental Research
U.S. Department of Energy
Germantown Building
1000 Independence Avenue., SW
Washington, DC 20585
P: (301) 903 - 3251
F: (301) 903 - 5051
E:
sc.ber@science.doe.gov