Science February 16, 2023 According to a team of researchers in the US (Harvard University, New York University) more zoonotic diseases originated in the United States than in any other country during the second half of the 20th century. Of the many agencies that govern food animal production, the US Department of Agriculture is the most important, but even it has no authority to regulate on-farm animal production. Each year, the US consumes an estimated 1 billion pounds of “game” . Yet, most hunter-harvested meat is not inspected, and no sanitary measures are required. The US is the largest importer […]
Category Archives: Biodefense
BD21 Biosensor Redesign: DHS Seeks Contractors to Improve Urban BioThreat Classification Sensor
Global Biodefense September 3, 2021 The Biodefense for the 21st Century (BD21) program is working to design, develop, and deploy networked detection systems that continuously monitor the air, collect real-time data, and employ data analytics to detect anomalies. DHS has identified the need for further research and development of commercially available biological detection and presumptive identification technologies to enable timely detection and characterization of airborne bio-threats. The biosensors will be deployed both in indoor and outdoor urban environments to conduct real-time monitoring of biological threats. The redesign is to occur over 15 months and will take place in 2 phases. […]
After COVID, are billions in biodefense funds needed to deter US adversaries?
Defense News April 9, 2021 According to a new report from the Council on Strategic Risks, the U.S. Defense Department should dramatically increase funding for biological defense initiatives to at least $2 billion in the next year followed by increasing it to a range of $6.5 billion to $7 billion annually in the coming years. It will deter other nations from seeking to exploit America’s perceived vulnerability to a medical crisis. Key investment areas should include nucleic-acid based therapeutics, field-and-clinic deployable early-detection technology that can identify any pathogen by reading its genetic material and expanding international cooperation on biodefense issues […]
2021 BAA for Development of Medical Countermeasures for Biological Threats
Global Biodefense March 2, 2021 The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) solicitation contains multiple distinct Research Areas. The goal of Research Area 1 is to advance vaccine technologies and platforms which could be deployed against agents important for biodefense and/or emerging pathogens. Pathogens of particular interest include (but are not limited to): Burkholderia spp, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida auris. A second objective is to support development of vaccines for emerging viruses and pandemic preparedness. Targets of particular interest include: Vaccines that target coronaviruses with pandemic potential, Development of pan-coronavirus (pan-CoV) […]
Biodefense Headlines – 29 November 2020
Globalbiodefense November 29, 2020 This week’s selections include COVID-19 vaccination strategies; a history of nerve agents; bioethics of ‘supersoldier’ pharmacological enhancements; and digital warm-start CRISPR diagnostics…read more.
Biodefense Headlines – 8 November 2020
Global Biodefense November 8, 2020 This week’s selections include COVID-19 surveillance data systems; pandemic impact on measles, polio vaccination rates; and revisiting a verification mechanism for the BWC… read more.
Biodefense Headlines – 2 November 2020
Global Biodefense November 2, 2020 This week’s selections include partnering with schools for pandemic flu preparedness; validation analysis of the Global Health Security Index; and the hurdles of contact tracing across America… read more.
Suspending Threats in Mid-Air: Army Laser Beam Capable of Detecting Chem-Bio Warfare Agents
Global Biodefense January 14, 2020 An international team of researchers (US – US Army, Australia) used a single laser beam to develop an advanced analytical technique that can detect and characterize any type of airborne particles, naturally occurring (dust, smoke, pollen, ash, etc.) or those harmful and deliberately disseminated such as chemical and biological warfare agents. They used two small parabolic mirrors to shape up a hollow laser beam and create highly efficient trapping forces — instead of using expensive microscope objectives and complex optical setup. The approach provides contactless particle manipulation and allows a rapid and precise physio-chemical characterization. […]
Project BioShield: Building a Better Medical Countermeasure Pipeline
Global Biodefense August 5, 2019 When Project BioShield was initially signed into law 15 years ago, the nation had few medical countermeasures to rely on in national emergencies. BARDA has since supported 27 projects using Project BioShield authorities and funding, adding 15 products to the Strategic National Stockpile. Working with industry partners, 10 of those products have achieved FDA approval and the others are available under FDA Emergency Use Authorization guidelines. Companies interested in partnering with BARDA on medical countermeasures to combat chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) threats, pandemic influenza or other emerging infectious diseases, can get insights and […]
Stripping down bacterial armor: A new way to fight anthrax
EurelAlert July 15, 2019 Researchers in Belgium successfully applied Nanobodies® – small antibody fragments – to control the assembly of the bacterial armor and study its structure. The Nanobodies were not only effective in preventing the armor from forming, but also proved highly efficient in breaking down existing S-layers. When applied to live bacteria, breaking down the armor slowed bacterial growth and led to drastic changes in the surface of the bacterial cell. Nanobodies were tested as a treatment in mice infected with B. anthracis. All treated mice recovered from lethal anthrax within days…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE