Global Security Newswire

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency has awarded $12.25 million to Texas A&M; University's Institute for Genetic Medicine to identify genes responsible for vulnerabilities to potential biological-weapon agents, the university announced this week (see GSN, June 24).

Using highly sophisticated robotic instruments and screening systems, scientists are expected to examine more than 3,500 genes to spot coding that allows biological toxins and pathogens to damage cells and tissues. The researchers would then seek potential treatments for tissue and preclinical trials.

The team is expected to examine reactions biological agents produce in mouse stem cells simulating various body cell types. Cells resistant to dangerous materials would then be grown into genetically enhanced mice, possibly enabling the development of new drugs that could hinder the ability of the disease agents to exploit relevant human genes.

"By discovering and ultimately developing strategies to eliminate the ways in which toxins and microbes hijack cells, this research has the potential to discover new vaccines and therapies to counteract the most dangerous biothreats faced by both military personnel and civilians," according to a university press release (Texas A&M; University release, July 7).