Whether by terrorist intention, accidental introduction, or natural evolution, our society is at risk from biological agents. Assessing the risk, anticipating the dangers, and developing new ways to respond are topics of an upcoming conference at Wayne State University on New Risks and New Defenses: The Technology of Bioterrorism. The conference, to be held Saturday, April 14, 2007, is being organized by the Michigan branch of the American Society for Microbiology.

This scientific gathering will feature Joan Rose, an expert on biological monitoring and risk assessment; Luther Lindler, an investigator of the bubonic plague organism and renowned author of a book on counterbioterrorism, and Philip Cunningham, a developer of novel antibiotics that target vital parts of bacterial protein synthesis

In our complex society, the speed and breadth with which agents can spread in the water and food supply are highlighted by numerous incidents in the past year. Spinach from California and water in Walkerton, Ontario, which caused several deaths before they were detected, are but two examples of the risk we face at the water tap or in the kitchen.

Similarly, the terrorist attacks of 2001 highlighted how terrorists can exploit the distribution and transportation systems of modern society towards nefarious ends. Anthrax, a relatively non-contagious disease, was spread by the post-office. An infectious contagious disease can easily be spread by infected people traveling from one country to another, as shown by the SARS near-epidemic of a few years back.

Rose, the co-director of The Center Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment at Michigan State University, will focus on monitoring and assessment of dangers to the Michigan water supply. She currently holds the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University. An international expert in water microbiology, water quality and public health safety, she is the only woman to win the Clarke Water Prize for outstanding contributions to water science.

Bubonic plague is only one topic that Lindler will discuss in his talk about threat agents that terrorists might use against organized societies. As dangerous as known organisms, such as anthrax and plague, may be, new dangers could be incubating in the biotechnology broths of bioterrorists. Lindler will also describe some of the tools and potential goals that bioterrorists may reach for in the biotechnology lab in his talk on Emerging Threats.

Whether emerging naturally or by terrorist intent, society needs new defenses against new diseases. Cunningham looks at the soft-underbellyof bacteria - the absolutely critical genes that bacteria use for synthesizing proteins. Although antibiotics often target vital cell processes, including protein synthesis, their specific targets can sometimes be mutated to avoid the antibiotic action. By focusing on sites in the protein synthetic machinery that simply cannot be changed without killing the cell, Cunnigham is developing a whole new generation of antibiotics that, according to theory at least, no terrorist or natural mutation should be able to defeat.

In addition to the featured speakers, the conference will also include presentations by Michigan scientists, displays by science technology companies, and awards to students recognizing their research. The conference web site is http://mi-asm.org/spring07meeting/index.htm.
For further information, contact Jeffrey Ram, 313 577-1558.