AZ scientists propose bioterror-response device to Congress

Arizona scientists from Northern Arizona University, University of Arizona, and the Translational Genomics Research Institute traveled to Washington, D.C., recently to present a plan to improve the nation's response to potential bioterrorist attack.

Project Zebra, a proposed database containing genetic profiles of infectious diseases, could greatly reduce the time and effort required to distinguish between bioterror agents and routine disease in patients, the presenters told a congressional hearing.

Faster diagnosis could mean speedier response by federal, state, and local authorities to an attack, potentially lessening or even preventing the public health crisis that follows.

The hearing was conducted by Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Terrorism, Technology, and Homeland Security. Arizonans testifying included Paul Keim, an anthrax expert with appointments at NAU and TGen; Harvey Meislin, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center; and Jeff Trent, president and scientific director of TGen.

Researchers are applying for at least $10 million through the Defense Department to develop the device, which would ultimately be made available to emergency rooms across the country. Doctors and nurses would run the results of simple tests, such as blood samples, though a device linked to the database.

Such a procedure could have consequences for medicine beyond fighting bioterror. . Meislin told the panel that the device could reduce health care costs by giving doctors more accurate information about a patient's illness.

"The simple ability to tell the difference between a virus and a bacteria - knowing that if it's a virus you don't need antibiotic — would be a huge benefit to American medicine," Meislin testified, according to the Arizona Republic.

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For more information:

"Kyl to hold biotech-oriented national security hearing," Business Journal, 05/10/2004

"Arizona project quick to reveal illness," Arizona Republic, 05/12/2004

"UA-linked project could cut bioterror risk, lawmakers told," Tucson Citizen, 05/12/2004