|
P
r o j e c t
|
D
e s c r i p t i o n
|
|
|
Phil Amuso
Florida Department of Health
University of South Florida
Andrew Cannons
University of South Florida
This
component of the Center is developing leading edge procedures
and protocols for equipping B & C level laboratories
to definitively detect biowarfare agents. This technology
will assist state and regional health departments to better
address the threat of bioterrorism. This component is
a joint endeavor between the USF College of Public Health
and the State of Florida Department of Health.
Read about our latest laboratory
collaborations! |
|
| Education
& Coordination Component |
|
Darcy Vetro Ravndal
Amanda Shaw
Diana McCluskey
Jim McCluskey
Donna Haiduven
University of South Florida
This
component within the Center focuses on the development
and improvement of training materials related to bioterrorism.
This project also aims to improve understanding, communication & cooperation between responders, scientists, clinicians
and government agencies that must effectively work together
in case of a biological crisis. |
|
| Advanced
Biosensors Laboratory |
|
Daniel Lim
University of South Florida
The Advanced Biosensors Laboratory is developing next generation
detector technology for laboratory and field use.
This research will result in a transportable fiber optic
biosensor assay system that will rapidly detect microbial
pathogens and biological toxins in food, water, environmental
surfaces, as well as in human specimens. The biosensor will be affordable, sensitive,
specific, and able to process multiple pathogens simultaneously. |
|
| Development
and Assessment of “Dual-use” Surveillance Systems
for Detection of Bioterrorism in the Community |
|
Jacqueline Cattani
University of South Florida
Kristin B. Uhde
University of South Florida
Corey Farrell
University of South Florida
There
is a critical need to strengthen existing surveillance
systems and to develop innovative, near “real-time”
approaches to surveillance which can provide timely alerts
of epidemics, whether occurring naturally or intentionally. This project will develop and incorporate surveillance
systems into defined populations, such as schools, retirement
communities, and large-scale industries, which will provide
the earliest opportunity to recognize a bioterrorism-related
outbreak.
Syndromic Surveillance Information Packet (draft) |
|
| Enhancement
of Animal Health Preparedness for Dealing with Bioterrorism |
|
Carlos Romero
University of Florida
The
2001 foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom and
other European countries devastated the agricultural industry,
resulting in a multi-billion dollar impact on the economy.
Rapid and accurate identification of bioterrorism agents
in clinical and post-mortem animal specimens is crucial
in recognizing an unforeseen or unannounced attack or
outbreak. This project will develop ultra-sensitive
and specific assays to rapidly identify tissues and clinical
samples potentially containing exotic viruses, whose introduction
into U.S. territory could be devastating to the National
Animal Herd. |
|
| Early
Detection and Diagnosis of Phytopathogens as Bioterrorism
Agents |
|
Joe Eugene Lepo
University of West Florida
Plants,
especially those produced for human consumption or those
that provide fiber for clothing and other goods, are potential
targets of a bioterrorism attack. An attack on important
agricultural crops could decimate long-term agricultural
productivity, resulting in critical shortages of food
and fiber. As with other bioterrorism events, early
recognition is critical. This project will expand
the list of detectable agents and enhance testing capabilities
of plant pathogens for agronomically important crops.
|
|
|
Evolutionary Bioinformatics: Managing Infectious Disease Outbreaks |
|
Steven Benner
University of Florida
An understanding of the evolution of the sequences of genes found in infectious agents is a
key to understand how they function, and predicting how they will evolve in the future.
This one year project will deliver the databases and toolsets need to support an evolutionary
analysis of viruses that infect commercial farm animals that have been the object of study of
the laboratory of Carlos Romero from the College of Veterinary Medicine. These will help assess
the origin of an outbreak (natural or deliberate) of these viruses, support efforts to assess
the future course of the viral outbreak, and guide efforts for managing the outbreak using
vaccination. The work will also lay the grounds for a still larger analysis of infectious
disease agents, including identifying diagnostics and therapeutic targets in agents that
infect both animals and humans.
|
|
|
Taggants Using Non-Standard DNA |
|
Steven Benner
University of Florida
Andrew Ellington
University of Texas, Austin
This one year project will demonstrate the feasibility of using an artificially expanded
genetic information system (AEGIS) in taggants. AEGIS is a new type of biopolymer that
displays many of the molecular recognition properties of DNA, including the ability to
come in multiple forms, each of which can be detected with high sensitivity. AEGIS taggant
sequences are not found in nature, however, meaning that they do not cross-react with natural
DNA, cannot be confused with natural DNA, do not present hazards (real or imagined) of natural
DNA, and cannot be countered like natural DNA.
This project will involve a collaboration between the researh laboratories of Prof. Steven
Benner (University of Florida) and Andrew Ellington (Univ. Texas, Austin), drawing on the
chemical skills of the Florida laboratory, including the invention of the AEGIS system itself,
and the analytical skills of the Texas laboratory, in particular, their ability to design and
implement sensitive readout mechanisms.
|
|
|
Photocatalytic Air Disinfection to Destroy Airborne Hazardous Microorganisms |
|
D. Yogi Goswami
University of Florida
The biggest danger from biohazards, such as anthrax, comes when they become airborne
and spread through the building ventilation system. Conventional air filtration systems
are inadequate to provide a satisfactory solution. Drastic measures, such as fumigation
with Chlorine Dioxide, have serious consequences. Photocatalytic disinfection technology
developed by Goswami has been shown to be effective, however, the technology needs improvement
to be effective against bioterrorism.
It is proposed to improve the photocatalytic air disinfection technology to reduce the time
needed for complete oxidation to a fraction of a second. The improved photocatalytic technology
incorporated with HEPA and electrostatic air filters will provide complete solution to removing
and neutralizing biohazards from indoor air. The proposed improvements will include active removal
electrons from the catalytic surface, thereby improving the reaction rate, and identifying catalysts
that may utilize visible light for activation.
|
|
| Development and Testing of Composite, Nonwoven Protective Clothing Fabric for Bioterrorism Response
|
|
Steven Mlynarek
University of South Florida
Seshadri Ramkumar
Texas Tech University
Fabrics frequently used to protect first responders from chemical and bioterrorism events are
protective but restrictive of evaporative cooling. Because of the reduced evaporative cooling,
these fabrics allow a limited time in the suspect environment. A tri-laminate fabric is proposed
and it consists of a pre-filter layer, an adsorbent layer, and a base layer. Because air convection
and penetration is permitted, it would improve heat loss by sweat evaporation while providing protection
equal to or greater than existing suits. Bench testing of the fabric following ASTM standards testing
for tensile and tear strength as well as protection against chemicals and biologicals will be performed.
This fabric would also be expected to be lighter, easier to put on, and more comfortable to the wearer.
Studies assessing the effect of coveralls made of this fabric on heat stress will be done in a climatic
chamber. The results of this research, in collaboration with researchers from the Texas Tech University,
will lead to improvements to a novel fabric technology, leading to greater protection for responders to
bioterrorism events.
|
|
| Antibacterial Evaluation of Florida Invasive Plant Species |
Kelsey Downum
Florida International University
Florida International University will carry out a systematic approach to identify novel antibacterial compounds using available, renewable Florida natural resources with the intent of discovering new therapies to control potential BT threats as well as other emerging infectious diseases. Florida invasive plant species will be targeted for collection, extraction, and antibacterial evaluation based on their ability to resist attack by native parasites and pathogens, and based on the scientific data supporting this approach with ecological, chemical and pharmacological evidence. The extracts will be screened using a panel of selected human pathogens, followed by bioassay-directed fractionation of the most active plant extracts. Seventy-five plants are targeted for evaluation against pathogenic bacteria including Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Clostridium sporogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations and therapeutic indices will be calculated for each active compound. |
|
| Demonstration of a Portable Cooling System with 350 W Cooling Capacity for Application with Encapsulated PPE for First-Responders and Clean-Up Crew |
Jayanta Kapat
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida in collaboration with the University of South Florida will develop a compact, lightweight, efficient and reliable microclimate cooling system for an encapsulated, level A PPE. The proposed deliverable will be a microclimate system cooler that can remove 350 Watts of heat, and will require only 120 Watts of electrical power. The system is expected to weigh approximately 2.3 kg (5 lbs). The unit will be a cylinder approximately 4 inches in diameter and 7 inches long. With miminal additional effort, the cooling system could be converted into a heating system for use in cold climates and for other applications. |
|
