UU researchers find could cut bio-weapons deaths

A University of Ulster have reported that one of their researchers has pioneered new techniques that could save thousands of lives in the event of a bio-terrorist attack.

Dr Colm Lowery, from the School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, has reportedly developed a method of detecting the killer bugs that could be used to wipe out entire populations if terrorists strike.

Current methods of tracing potential bio-terrorist agents such as Cryptosporidium or Clostridium botulinum can take up to five days, Dr Lowry’s new DNA Finger Printing technique takes only 15 minutes – thus allowing further time to save lives in the event of biological warfare.

Dr Lowery’s work has been awarded a prestigious Winston Churchill Fellowship and he has been invited to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, Atlanta, USA, to work alongside the world’s leading scientists in the fight against bio-terrorism.

“If bio-terrorists were to strike a likely method of attack would be to contaminate our water system with some of the more commonly found human pathogens such as E. coli or Cryptospordium,” Dr Lowery said.

“Current scientific practices take several days to establish whether or not there has actually been an outbreak. These new cutting edge techniques will act as an early warning system for detecting these killer bugs in our water supplies. The method can equally be applied to routine monitoring of food and drinking water quality for the natural occurrence of these deadly pathogens.

“Because the DNA finger printing technology is so fast it will be invaluable in the event of a biological attack, allowing the quick detection of the source and type of agent that has been used. Subsequently, it will be easier to treat victims and prevent more outbreaks. The bottom line is that the introduction of these new technologies will help save lives."

Dr Lowery will be involved in evaluating the US military’s present bio-detection hardware which is currently used in their Biowarfare Programme and he hopes to contribute by testing my DNA finger printing system against Category 1 and Category 2 bioterrorist agents. The techniques can also be transferred to other vital areas of medical research.

Dr Lowery added: “The whole area of molecular diagnostics is an exciting and rapidly evolving area, not only in infectious diseases but also in haematological malignancies, diabetes and cancer, which has attracted much interest from the NHS.”

Dr Lowery will also travel to the Tokyo University of Fisheries in Japan to focus on the development of real-time detection systems for pathogens that are transmitted in food.

(GMcG)