Biological warfare

March 28, 2008 -- To help Kansas in its bid to become the future home of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed legislation providing for the infrastructure improvements needed to secure this important project.

“This bill demonstrates that the NBAF continues to be our state’s top bioscience priority. The efforts to be the home of this facility have always been strengthened by our existing resources and broad support of the NBAF Task Force,” Sebelius said. “We believe Kansas is the best home for the NBAF and this investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to this important homeland security issue.”    » read more »

January 9, 2008 -- Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on President Bush to commit the needed focus and funds to the BioWatch program, an initiative committed to the development and deployment of desperately needed bioweapons sensors that could detect the early stages of a biological attack. According to news reports, New York City officials have faced resistance from the Bush Administration as they work to deploy this critical homeland security program, despite the fact that New York continues to be a high-threat target for terrorist attack.    » read more »

ARGONNE, Ill. (August 31, 2007) – A new award-winning innovation developed at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory can covertly detect chemical plumes at great distances and may help thwart future chemical or nuclear-based terrorist attacks. The technology has a number of other uses, as well, from detecting environmental pollution to determining the extent of tissue damage in burn victims without physical contact.    » read more »

Researchers at PNNL are developing a portable biomonitor to rapidly evaluate tiny samples of blood or saliva for exposure to nerve agents.

August 19, 2007 -- BOSTON – Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have discovered a way to increase the sensitivity of test strips that will enable creation of a portable biosensor that can address a major concern associated with incidents involving chemical or nerve agents - the need to quickly distinguish between individuals who have been exposed and the "worried well."    » read more »

July 11, 2007 -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology (S&T) directorate announced today that five sites have advanced to the next phase in the competitive process to select the location of the proposed National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF). The following sites, in alphabetical order, have advanced to the next phase:

* Flora Industrial Park, Madison County, Miss.
* Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.
* Texas Research Park, San Antonio, Texas
* Umstead Research Farm, Granville County, N.C.    » read more »

Jul. 11, 2007 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today issued the following statement upon learning that Texas Research Park in San Antonio, promoted by Texas Biological and Agro-Defense Consortium, was selected as one of five finalists for the site of the National Biological and Agro-Defense Facility. This $500 million federal program will address biological and agricultural national security risks.    » read more »

July 11, 2007 -- (JACKSON, Mississippi) – Flora Industrial Park in Madison County, Mississippi, has been listed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as one of five potential locations to build a National Bio and Agro-Defense Project facility (NBAF), Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Congressional delegation announced today.    » read more »