Biowarfare agent

Use of optical fiber biosensors for real-time detection of biowarfare agents (BWA) especially those of bacterial cells, toxins, or spores in the air, soil, or environment has been investigated by the Naval Research Laboratory (Taitt et al, 2005). In addition, many laboratories are also employing fiber optic biosensors for detection of wide varieties of foodbome pathogens, which are discussed below. 

A novel genetically engineered B-cell-based sensor was developed to detect various pathogens relevant to food safety and biowarfare agents (Rider et ah, 2003). The B-cells were engineered to express cytosolic aequ-orin, a calcium-sensitive bioluminescent protein, and pathogen-specific... 

Haynes, C.L, Yonzon, C.R., Zhang, X., and Van Duyne, R.P. (2005) Surface-enhanced Raman sensors early history and the development of sensors for quantitative biowarfare agent and glucose detection. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 36, 471-484. 

In addition, these pathogens are also naturally transmitted by vectors and this pathway may also be exploited as a method of delivery of biowarfare agents. Examples of vectors include flies, mosquitoes, ticks, lice, and fleas. Vectors transmit the pathogen when they bite or scratch a new host. In some cases, the pathogen is excreted in the vector s feces as it feeds and forced into the wound by the casualty when scratching the bite. Vectors may be either the reservoir (i.e., animal or insect in which a pathogen normally lives and serves as a source for continued infection) or intermediate host for the pathogen. 

French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin called for creation of a UN-affiliated organization to track potential biowarfare agents and keep them away from terrorists. He did not propose giving inspection powers to such an agency, but said that biotechnology companies, laboratories, hospitals, and universities need to... 

Existing Genetic Sensing Methods for Biowarfare Agents.340... 

Existing Genetic Sensing Methods eor Biowarfare Agents... 

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