Author
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Tabatabai, Louisa |
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Submitted to: In Vitro Diagnostic Technology
Publication Type: Review Article Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2005 Publication Date: 7/15/2005 Citation: Tabatabai, L.B. 2005. Novel diagnostic methods for detecting agents of bioterrorism. In Vitro Diagnostic Technology. p. 57-67. Interpretive Summary: Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin World Trade towers, the anthrax incidents and the subsequent establishment of the Office of Homeland Security, interest in the capability to detect agents of bioterrorism has become an urgent item in the programs of the Office of Homeland Security, and other government agencies. New programs have been established to accelerate development of diagnostic technologies for the early detection of List A (Federal Register), including anthrax, tularemia, and brucellosis Register. The new developments in technologies include development of a photoluminescence-based biological sensor, Suitcase TOF (time-of-flight mass spectrometer) and other mass spectrometry applications, the Argonne Biochip Program, ProteinChip Technology, and Advanced Photonics sensors for diagnostics. These technologies were presented at a symposium on Novel Diagnostics Technologies held April 12-13, 2004 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa. Additionally, other older technologies such as gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used to detect agents of bioterrorism. Each type of technology will be discussed with respect to its status of the technological development, field application, ease of use for on-site testing versus transport of sample to a central laboratory, considerations for production, and cost. Technical Abstract: Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin World Trade towers, the anthrax incidents and the subsequent establishment of the Office of Homeland Security, interest in the capability to detect agents of bioterrorism has become an urgent item in the programs of the Office of Homeland Security, and other government agencies. New programs have been established to accelerate development of diagnostic technologies for the early detection of List A (Federal Register), including anthrax, tularemia, and brucellosis Register. The new developments in technologies include development of a photoluminescence-based biological sensor, Suitcase TOF (time-of-flight mass spectrometer) and other mass spectrometry applications, the Argonne Biochip Program, ProteinChip Technology, and Advanced Photonics sensors for diagnostics. These technologies were presented at a symposium on Novel Diagnostics Technologies held April 12-13, 2004 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa. Additionally, other older technologies such as gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have been used to detect agents of bioterrorism. Each type of technology will be discussed with respect to its status of the technological development, field application, ease of use for on-site testing versus transport of sample to a central laboratory, considerations for production, and cost. |
