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NIST, Army researchers pave the way for anthrax spore standards
April 16, 2008Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Army Dugway (Utah) Proving Ground have developed reliable methods based on DNA analysis to assess the concentration and viability of anthrax spores after prolonged storage. The techniques and data are essential steps in developing a reliable reference standard for anthrax detection and decontamination.
Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax, has been a centuries-old threat to human health. In 2001, it was used as a letter-borne terrorist weapon that killed five Americans. Since the tenacious bacterium can survive for decades in a stable spore state, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been working with NIST to develop anthrax spore reference materials. These materials could be used as controls in laboratory studies of anthrax, to calibrate spore detection equipment and to assess the efficiency of spore decontamination methods.
Working with samples that had been stored up to 2 1/2 years, the research team used two classic microbiological techniques to quantify the Bacillus anthracis concentrations: counting spores under a microscope and counting the bacterial colonies that grow after the spores are spread on a nutrient surface and germinate. The latter yields valuable data on the biological activity of the samples; however, only viable cells are counted and counts may be underestimated if cell clumping occurs. A better approach is to measure the amount of genetic material present in the sample. This method not only measures the DNA extracted from viable anthrax spores but also DNA in solution from damaged spores, cell debris and spore fragments-giving a truer measure of the source of DNA in the samples. Additionally, many of the new instruments available for rapid detection of anthrax spores are based on DNA markers, so it is important to accurately measure the DNA content of the reference samples that will be used to test and calibrate these devices.
Traditional methods for extracting DNA from Bacillus anthracis spores are too harsh to produce material suitable for reliable measurements. To overcome this obstacle, the team developed an extraction technique that used chemicals and enzymes to disrupt intact spores into releasing their DNA in a relatively pure state.
The NIST-Army study showed that laboratory-grade Bacillus anthracis spores in suspension maintained their viability and did not clump when stored for up to 900 days. The classical method for counting spores yielded comparable results to the DNA measurements used to determine spore concentrations. The results demonstrate that research quality spores can be stored for long periods of time and still maintain their important properties, proving that uniform and consistent reference materials are possible.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Anthrax Spores Current Events and Anthrax Spores News RSSMilestone biodefense publication by Elsevier journal Vaccine
Last week during the 'Vaccines for Biothreats and Emerging and Neglected Diseases Symposium' in Galveston TX, USA, the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense.
Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine support use of raxibacumab (ABthrax) for the treatment of inhalation anthrax
Human Genome Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: HGSI) today announced publication by the New England Journal of Medicine of the results of two pivotal animal efficacy studies, which showed the life-saving potential of the Company's human monoclonal antibody drug raxibacumab.
Anthrax vaccine produces immunity with nanoparticles, not needles
A vaccine against anthrax that is more effective and easier to administer than the present vaccine has proved highly effective in tests in mice and guinea pigs, report University of Michigan Medical School scientists in the August issue of Infection and Immunity.
Taming the anthrax threat
In the American government's biodefense efforts, the potential for terrorists to cause a deadly anthrax outbreak remains a significant concern, six years after the letter attacks that shook the nation shortly after 9/11.
Aggie physicists unite with Ivy League to develop anthrax detection method
Texas A&M University and Princeton University physicists have joined forces to perfect a powerful new weapon in the war on terrorism - a laser technique to identify deadly anthrax spores. Their results are published in the prestigious journal Science, due to hit newsstands tomorrow.
Anthrax attack posed greater potential threat than thought
A new study shows that more people were at risk of anthrax infection in the Oct. 2001 attack on U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle's office than previously known.
Combating anthrax: Results of study published this month as researchers look for a better vaccine
A new study published this month by a Saint Louis University vaccine researcher scrutinizes what in the future could be an alternative to the presently available anthrax vaccine.
Vaccine combined with short-term postexposure antibiotics protects monkeys from inhalational anthrax
Anthrax vaccine administered in combination with a short course of antibiotics completely protected nonhuman primates from inhalational anthrax, the most lethal form of the disease.
Anthrax inhibitor counteracts toxin, may lead to new therapeutics
Researchers from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Toronto have designed a nanoscale assembly of molecules that successfully counteracts and inhibits anthrax toxin in animal and laboratory experiments.
Most effective anthrax treatment: VA-Stanford study finds
When spores sent through the mail in 2001 caused 11 people to contract anthrax-ultimately killing five of them-infectious disease specialists noted that the death rate was substantially lower than the historical mortality rate, which approached 100 percent.
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Spores, Plagues and History: The Story of Anthrax by Chris Holmes (Author) Spores, Plagues and History is the tale of one of history's most deadly bacterium, which has been causing natural disease since the time of Moses and man-made illness since World War II. Beginning with a description of the U.S. anthrax bioterrorism attacks of 2001, the story goes back in time to the earlist hint of the disease, the 5th and 6th plagues of Moses. Several epidemics are then described where anthrax was the putative cause, (e.g. , the Plague of Athens in 430 B.C. and Woolsorter's Disease in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries), arriving at the modern era, when anthrax and other pathogens were studied and used as weapons of mass destruction by several nations, including Japan, Russia and the U.S. The story concludes where it began, with a description of... |
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Anthrax, Photomicrograph, Spores Photos To Go Collection Photographic Poster Print by Kent Wood, 48x36 by Art.com Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on 'Artist Name' and 'Subject Categories' such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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Letter at UO didn't contain anthrax spores.(General News)(Local scare: Preliminary analysis indicates that a mystery powder received by a professor isn't ... from: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) by The Register Guard (Publisher) This digital document is an article from The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR), published by The Register Guard on November 17, 2001. The length of the article is 1093 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Letter at UO didn't contain anthrax spores.(General News)(Local scare: Preliminary analysis indicates that a mystery powder received by a professor isn't a bioterrorism weapon.) Publication: The Register-Guard (Eugene, OR) (Newspaper) Date: November 17, 2001 Publisher: The Register Guard Page: A1 Distributed by Thomson... | |
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Anthrax, Photomicrograph, Spores Photographic Poster Print by Kent Wood, 24x18 by Art.com Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on 'Artist Name' and 'Subject Categories' such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
![Estimating aerosol hazards from an anthrax letter [An article from: Journal of Aerosol Science]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5181HBQEK2L._SL160_.jpg) |
Estimating aerosol hazards from an anthrax letter [An article from: Journal of Aerosol Science] by J. Ho (Author), S. Duncan (Author) This digital document is a journal article from Journal of Aerosol Science, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Description: Events following the anthrax letter incidences in 2001 changed many previously held assumptions regarding biological aerosol hazards. As there were significant fatalities resulting from the sorting of a single anthrax letter, it suggests there is a need to reevaluate how best to measure biological aerosols and to use the information to make accurate predictions. This paper describes the biological aerosol created from manipulating envelopes containing Bacillus subtilis globigii spores (a simulant for... |
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Anthrax, Photomicrograph, Spores Photographic Poster Print by Kent Wood, 24x18 by AllPosters.com AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall décor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you're looking for your favorite movie or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at AllPosters.com. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. AllPosters.com provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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Anthrax is a spoil spore for company. (Tar Heel Tattler).(Vital Living Products Inc. and its anthrax test kit under investigation)(Brief Article)(Statistical ... An article from: Business North Carolina by Edward Martin (Author) This digital document is an article from Business North Carolina, published by Business North Carolina on March 1, 2002. The length of the article is 4662 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Anthrax is a spoil spore for company. (Tar Heel Tattler).(Vital Living Products Inc. and its anthrax test kit under investigation)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included) Author: Edward Martin Publication: Business North Carolina (Magazine/Journal) Date: March 1, 2002 Publisher: Business North Carolina Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Page: 14(2) Article Type: Brief... | |
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Anthrax, Photomicrograph, Spores Photos To Go Collection Photographic Poster Print by Kent Wood, 56x42 by Art.com Art.com is the world's largest retailer of art prints, posters, photographs, and framed artwork. With our huge selection of over 400,000 prints, you'll easily find the perfect piece for your home, office, or classroom. Our art is printed on quality paper. When you order framed artwork, the piece is built by our team of in-house professionals. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/artdotcom to find Special Offers and search for products based on 'Artist Name' and 'Subject Categories' such as Movie, Music, Vintage, TV, Children, Travel, Kitchen, Museum Art, Animals, Floral, Motivational, and Sports. Art.com is dedicated to providing you with high quality products and service by offering you 100% satisfaction guaranteed. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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Spores: The Threat of a Catastrophic Anthrax Attack on America by LLC Executive Action (Author) 81 pages | |
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Anthrax, Photomicrograph, Spores Photographic Poster Print by Kent Wood, 48x36 by AllPosters.com AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall décor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you're looking for your favorite movie or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at AllPosters.com. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. AllPosters.com provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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