NIH oversight of human gene transfer research involving retroviral, lentiviral, and adeno-associated virus vectors and the role of the NIH recombinant DNA advisory committee.

In response to public and scientific concerns regarding human gene transfer research, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) developed a transparent oversight system that extends to human gene transfer protocols that are either conducted with NIH funding or conducted at institutions that receive NIH funding for recombinant DNA research. The NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RAC) has been the primary advisory body to NIH regarding the conduct of this research. Human gene transfer research proposals that are subject to the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (NIH Guidelines) must be submitted to the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA), and protocols that raise novel scientific, safety, medical, ethical, or social issues are publicly discussed at the RAC's quarterly public meetings.

Evaluation of the impact of fuel hydrocarbons and oxygenates on groundwater resources.

The environmental behavior of fuel oxygenates (other than methyl tert-butyl ether [MTBE]) is poorly understood because few data have been systematically collected and analyzed. This study evaluated the potential for groundwater resource contamination by fuel hydrocarbons (FHCs) and oxygenates (e.g.

Evaluation of granular activated carbon technology for the removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from drinking water.

This study evaluated granular activated carbons (GACs) using rapid small-scale column tests (RSSCTs) on methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) levels from 20 to 2000 microg/L, with or without the presence of tert-butyl alcohol, benzene, toluene, p-xylene (BTX) in two groundwater (South Lake Tahoe Utility District [Lake Tahoe, CA] and Arcadia Well Field [Santa Monica, CA]) and a surface water source (Lake Perris, CA). Direct comparison between two GACs was made for RSSCTs conducted with surface water from Lake Perris. The impact of natural organic matter on GAC performance was investigated and found to correspond with total organic carbon concentration in the three source waters.