VERIBIO
Project Description
Rethinking Verification
An Interdisciplinary Research Project to Strengthen Biological Arms Control
The Biological Weapons Convention has prohibited biological weapons since 1975 – but unlike the nuclear or chemical domain, it still lacks a binding mechanism to verify compliance. An attempt to change this failed in 2001. Only in 2022 did the states parties resume negotiations. VERIBIO picks up exactly here.
- No binding verification instrument in the BWC – unlike other arms control treaties
- Verification protocol failed in 2001, partly due to industry concerns over trade-secret protection
- Negotiations resumed since 2022 – without concrete technical solutions so far
- Growing challenge: distinguishing civilian research from activities open to misuse
- VERIBIO is developing a proposal that enables transparency without endangering intellectual property
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the funding guideline for natural science and technology peace and conflict research.
Duration: 2024–2028.
6 Work Packages
4-Year Duration
5 Transfer Partners
2 Universities
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
How Technology and Political Science Interlock
VERIBIO's scientific methodology is based on the close integration of digital process monitoring and arms-control policy analysis, enabling up-to-date verification of biological risks.
Data-Driven Process Monitoring
The biotechnological research focuses on developing a data-driven early-warning system for industrial facilities.
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Analysis of Growth Signatures:
Using Escherichia coli bacterial strains as an example, the project examines how regular production processes differ from unauthorised activities (e.g. the cultivation of pathogens). -
Use of Machine Learning:
AI algorithms are used to analyse complex process parameters (such as oxygen consumption and growth rates) in order to detect operational anomalies automatically and at an early stage. -
Protection of Trade Secrets:
The system is designed so that monitoring (e.g. via encrypted data streams) strictly protects the confidentiality of industrial processes and companies' intellectual property.
Political Science Analysis & Arms Control
The technological development is accompanied by a comprehensive analysis of the global arms-control policy framework.
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Historical Review:
Analysis of previous, failed negotiation attempts under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) to better understand the structural and political obstacles to a new verification protocol. -
Theory of Verification:
Further development of scientific arms-control concepts that account not only for state actors but also for the growing importance of private, globally active actors in biotechnology. -
Practical Implementation:
Conducting structured expert interviews with actors from diplomacy, science and industry to align the theoretical models with the real-world requirements of the international security architecture.
project description
Process & Verification Concept
The technical and political science levels are closely interlinked: insights from process monitoring feed into the development of a verification concept – and vice versa.
Rethinking Verification
From Research to Policy Advice
Our findings feed directly into international BWC negotiations – through publications, policy papers and direct exchange with decision-makers.
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Publications
Findings are published on an ongoing basis in open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journals. -
Policy Papers
Concise policy recommendations bring the research findings directly into political decision-making processes. -
Conferences
Interim results are presented at national and international conferences in bioinformatics, bioprocess engineering and peace research. -
Workshops
Close exchange with industry representatives produces practical verification concepts for the bio-industrial sector.
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BWC Events
At the BWC states parties meetings in Geneva, we present our research directly to states parties and expert audiences. -
Transfer Network
Regular meetings with our partner organisations ensure continuous exchange between research and practice. -
Website
This website makes the project findings accessible to a broad audience – from expert circles to the general public.
project description
Six Work Packages, One Shared Goal
To develop a practical and reliable verification model, the project is divided into six complementary work packages. These systematically guide the project from theoretical and historical foundational research through data-driven laboratory practice to final policy transfer.
WP 1 — Building Microorganism Profiles
We investigate how bacteria and yeasts behave when growing in bioreactors – and which process data reveal when a reactor is being misused. This is based on cultivations of E. coli strains and two further microorganisms.
WP 2 — Developing an ML Early-Warning System
Based on the collected data, an algorithm is developed to detect anomalies in bioprocesses – a prototype for future compliance monitoring that protects trade secrets. (UHH · CoSy.Bio · 43 PM)
WP 3 — Technical Tools for Verification
We analyse which scientific and technological developments are suitable for BWC verification and, together with industry, develop a practical concept. (UHH · ZNF · 30 PM)
WP 4 — Verification for the BWC
A political science dissertation examines how a verification mechanism could concretely be anchored in the BWC regime – based on historical analyses and expert interviews. (UHH · ZNF · 48 PM)
WP 5 — Rethinking Verification
We are developing a theory of multilateral verification that goes beyond the BWC and includes private and economic actors. (UHH · ZNF · 34 PM)
WP 6 — Project Coordination
Organisational management of the entire early-career research group: communication, resources, and training of doctoral researchers. (UHH · ZNF · 5 PM)
Timeline · 48 Project Months
Timeline 2024–2028
Approximate time allocation of the six work packages across the project duration (Oct 2024 – Sep 2028). Bar lengths follow the phase logic described in the proposal; milestones and data handovers are highlighted.
