Technological challenges in counter bioterrorism

In the current environment of potential threats of global bioterrorism, research and development efforts are being directed on several fronts for countering bioterrorism activities. These include both basic science initiatives and applied engineering innovations. In the context of science and technology challenges, some of the major issues to be addressed, include 1) understanding the 'make-up' of the biological agents used in a terrorist attack, 2) surveillance and diagnosis of patients infected with potential biological agents, 3) detection of the environmental presence of bioagents, 4) development of antivirals and other drugs and vaccines, 5) biosensing detection tools for alerts and assessments of human health risks, and 6) the protection of the national critical information infrastructure. We present a broad overview of the R&D efforts currently under way for the identification of the potential threats as well as developing effective countermeasures to bioterrorism.