Counterterrorism Research

News Alerts

3rd Annual CounterACT Network Research Symposium
Tuesday April 14th - Thursday April 16, 2009
Omni Shoreham Hotel
2500 Calvert Street NW (at Connecticut Ave.), Washington, D.C. 20008

Most Recent CounterACT Publications

Song W, Liu G, Bosworth CA, Walker JR, Megaw GA, Lazrak A, Abraham E, Sullender WM, Matalon S. (2009) Respiratory syncytial virus inhibits lung ENaC by upregulating iNOS. J Biol Chem. [Epub ahead of print]  Abstract

Lazrak A, Nita I, Subramaniyam D, Wei S, Song W, Ji H, Janciauskiene S, Matalon S. (2009) Alpha1-antitrypsin inhibits epithelial Na+ transport in vitro and in vivo. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. [Epub ahead of print] Abstract

2007  ; 2008  ; 2009

Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Network

NIH Strategic Plan and Research Agenda for Medical Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (PDF 3MB)

The increased risk of a terrorist attack in the United States involving chemical agents has created new challenges for many departments and agencies across the federal government. Within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the NIH is taking a leadership role in pursuing the development of new and improved medical countermeasures designed to prevent, diagnose, and treat the conditions caused by potential and existing chemical agents of terrorism. In addition, many of the same chemicals posing a threat as terrorist agents may also be released from transportation and storage facilities by industrial accidents or during a natural disaster. The NIH has developed a comprehensive CounterACT Research Network that includes Research Centers of Excellence, individual research projects, SBIRs, contracts and other programs. The CounterACT network will conduct basic, translational, and clinical research aimed at the discovery and/or identification of better therapeutic and diagnostic medical countermeasures against chemical threat agents, and their movement through the regulatory process. The overarching goal of this research program is to enhance our diagnostic and treatment response capabilities during an emergency. This program is a trans NIH effort, involving participation from the National Eye Institute , National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases , National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences , National Institute of General Medical Sciences , and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke .

Higher Priority Chemical Threats

• Neurotoxic agents such as organophosphorus nerve "gases"
• Vesicating agents such as sulfur mustard
• Pulmonary agents such as chlorine gas
• Metabolic/Cellular poisons such as cyanide

Scope of Research

• Mechanistic research to identify targets for therapeutic/diagnostic development
• Development of in vitro and animal models for efficacy screening of therapeutics and diagnostic tools
• Efficacy screening of therapeutics/diagnostics using new and validated in vitro and animal models that are appropriate
• Advanced efficacy studies with appropriate animal models including non-human primates using current Good Laboratory Practices (cGLP)
• Clinical studies, including trials, when appropriate

Special consideration will be given to research relevant to people who are particularly vulnerable, including the young, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.

Contact Information

David A. Jett, Ph.D.
Program Director
National Institutes of Health, NINDS
6001 Executive Blvd.
NSC, Room 2177, MSC 9535
Bethesda, MD  20892-9535
Phone: 301-496-6035
jettd@ninds.nih.gov

Stacey D. Chambers
Program Analyst
National Institute of Health, NINDS
6001 Executive Blvd.
NSC, Room 2172, MSC 9521
Bethesda, MD  20892-9521
Phone: 301-496-0690
Fax: 301-402-1501
chambers@ninds.nih.gov

David T. Yeung, Ph.D.
Program Specialist
Contractor at NIH/NINDS
6001 Executive Blvd.
NSC, Room 2195, MSC 9527
Bethesda, MD 20892-9527
Tel: 301-443-7534
dy70v@nih.gov