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By Category: Biotechnology

Twofer for the Biggest Bioterror Threats?

If you ask biodefense experts to name two diseases that keep them awake at night, there’s a good chance they’ll mention smallpox and anthrax. Both are highly lethal, and current vaccines have major problems. Now, researchers have found a way to target both threats at the same time: a candidate vaccine that protects against the  Read More »

New cotton fiber swab may protect against bioagents

Fibertect–CS, a new cotton fiber product manufactured in Texas, has recently stirred interest in the United States and the Middle East for its potential use in protecting against harmful chemical and biological agents that could be deployed by terrorist groups. The cotton swab was evaluated several years ago by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory at the  Read More »

Regulations for Synthetic Biology Need to Address Risks and Rewards

How much should synthetic biology – the design and construction of new biological parts, devices and systems, and the redesign of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes – be regulated? And by whom?

New Anthrax Vaccine Candidate Announced in China

Chinese scientists recently announced the development of a new protein combination that acts against anthrax as both a vaccine and antitoxin, Reuters reported (see GSN, Sept. 20). “We have developed a novel and dually functional reagent for the prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax,” said researcher Gaobing Wu of the Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuzan. The  Read More »

Contracts Awarded For Vaccine Improvements

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has awarded as much as $100 million in contracts for projects to update and increase the pace of preparation of systems and materials for countering biological threats, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reported yesterday (see GSN, Aug. 27). The contracts arrive one month after U.S.  Read More »

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