Now more than ever, biology has the potential to contribute practical solutions to many of the major challenges confronting the United States and the world. A New Biology for the 21st Century recommends that a "New Biology" approach-one that depends on greater integration within biology, and closer collaboration with physical, computational, and earth scientists, mathematicians and engineers-be used to find solutions to four key societal needs: sustainable food production, ecosystem restoration, optimized biofuel production, and improvement in human health. The approach calls for a coordinated effort to leverage resources across the federal, private, and academic sectors to help meet challenges and improve the return on life science research in general. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummaryIntroduction: A Vision of the Future1: The New Biology's Great Potential2 How the New Biology Can Address Societal Challenges3 Why Now?4 Putting the New Biology to Work5 RecommendationsReferencesAppendix A: Statement of TaskAppendix B: Workshop Agenda