"Since before the 2001 anthrax attacks, the United States has been at risk for a bioterror attack. With these grants, a key element of our strategic plan to counter bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases is now complete," says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIAID. "Our network is working diligently to uncover new knowledge and create preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic tools that will leave us far less vulnerable."
NIAID established the RCE network in 2003 with grants to eight institutions. Each institution also leads an RCE consortium made up of universities and other research institutions within its geographic region. The network conducts research that will lead to next-generation treatments, vaccines and diagnostic tools for diseases such as anthrax, plague, smallpox, tularemia, botulism and West Nile fever.
University of California, Irvine, principal investigator Alan G. Barbour, M.D., will head a consortium whose members include four additional University of California campuses and 11 other regional universities and research institutions.
Colorado State University principal investigator Barry J. Beaty, Ph.D., will head a consortium whose members include five other universities plus small business partners; it also includes substantial collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The addition of these two new RCEs expands the network's scientific reach to cover some poorly understood diseases and new research needs. For example, researchers in the new centers have expertise in equine encephalitis and other viral diseases that can be transmitted to people by mosquitoes. The centers also add expertise in hantaviruses, as well as in the development of diagnostics and animal models of disease.
Each consortium within the network will
The previously established RCEs in the network are led by Duke University, Harvard Medical School, New York State Department of Health, University of Chicago, University of Maryland, University of Texas Medical Branch (Galveston), University of Washington and Washington University in St. Louis. Additional information on NIAID's biodefense program is available online at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/Research/rce.htm .
NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.
News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov .