The Air Force in Silico

The biological sciences have experienced remarkable advances in the recent past and there are frequent claims that 'we are on the advent of being able to model or simulate biological systems to the smallest, molecular detail.' Such a capability, the product of a science known as computational biology, could radically change health and life sciences and might have enormous impact in many fields, including defense and the military. This study addresses the questions of whether or not computational biology will be able to simulate biological systems by 2025, and what the implications are for the USAF. An examination of current capabilities and limitations leads to a prediction that computational is unlikely to be 'mature' by 2025. Nevertheless, the USAF stands to profit from the effects of computational biology, even though its application will be limited to certain well understood models. Successful computational solutions are more likely to be found to biological and health problems that exhibit certain identified characteristics. A risk analysis and recommendations for USAF involvement are provided, based on likely progress of computational biology over the next 15 -20 years.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.