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Biological Threat

ASPECT plane deploys to Southern California wildfires
October 26 — At 6:30 (Mountain Daylight Time) Thursday morning, the ASPECT plane – a one-of-a-kind emergency response tool operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and supported by Los Alamos National Laboratory – deployed to the wildfires of Southern California.

Tracking a deadly bacillus
May 17 — Recently, Los Alamos scientists devised an improved method for distinguishing Bacillus anthracis (the bacterial cause of anthrax) from its close cousins Bacillus cereus.

Lab cancels planned biodetector tests
July 8 — Planned tests involving the outdoor release of a common bacterium have been cancelled due to ongoing public concerns, Los Alamos National Laboratory officials announced today. The tests are part of a program to develop better devices for prompt, accurate detection of biological agents that could be used in terrorist or battlefield attacks. Scientists will look for alternate sites to conduct airborne releases of bacteria as part of the detector development.

Los Alamos speaker at AAAS addresses pathogen detection for biodefense
February 10 — Saying that "in spite of the developments in both DNA technologies and antibody-based detection strategies, the reality today is that infections are not detected until people get sick," according to Los Alamos National Laboratory Bioscience Division Leader Jill Trewhella. Trewhella will speak at a proteomics seminar at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle. The session, "Networking Proteins in Biology and Medicine," is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14.

Los Alamos selects new biological threat reduction program manager
October 4 — Gary Resnick has been named manager of the Biological Threat Reduction Program at the Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory. Los Alamos'program in Biological Threat Reduction aims to reduce the possible threat of biological agents from terrorist groups or third world countries.

Lab will hold bioscience information session in Santa Fe
April 6 — The Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory will hold a public poster session highlighting its research in biothreat reduction Tuesday at Santa Fe Community College. Scientists will be available to answer questions about their posters and research at the session, scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m.