Bioterrorism laboratory detection

As we learned after the anthrax attacks in 2001, the ability to rapidly detect and to identify a bioterrorism agent is critical. A variety of methods are used for this purpose, including DNA fingerprinting, DNA sequencing, PCR, and ELISA immunoassays. As students read about how these methods are utilized in fighting terrorism, they learn how the methods work. It is even better if they can actually apply at least some of the methods in the laboratory. A number of suppliers provide kits designed for educational use,25 and in most cases, it is possible to use these activities in a way that simulates a bioterrorism scenario. 

General research needs lie in the areas of detection, decontamination, and treatment. Better and cheaper methods need to be developed for the rapid detection and measurement of mycotoxin levels be it in food or tissues. In regard to bioterrorism, better methods need to be developed for the identification and measurement of mycotoxins in human and animal tissues, body fluids, and feces. Availability of mycotoxin reference samples to provide comparability of analytical results obtained between laboratories within a country as well as in different parts of the world would be helpful. 

Snyder J. W. and Check W., Bioterrorism threats to our future The role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in detection, identification, and confirmation of biological agents (Washington, DC ASM Press, 2001). 

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