NY Academy of Sciences reveals how scientists plan to combat bioterrorism & deadly...( Smallpox anthrax dengue plague hant...),Health

To combat the growing threat of bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases, eight Regional Centers of Excellence (RCEs) for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research were recently established by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). These centers have inaugurated the Trans-RCE Biodefense Seminars. This 13-part lecture series uses video and web conferencing to present information on major pathogens for clinical and basic research professionals (including graduate students, laboratory and hospital staff) at participating institutions, and, through the Academy's eBriefings, to scientists worldwide.

The lecture series, which runs through Spring 2005, forms the basis for the Academy's latest eBriefing, Biodefense: Risk, Reality and Solutions: the Trans-RCE Biodefense Seminars (www.nyas.org/biodef/ ). The first lectures focus on smallpox and anthrax from both clinical and research perspectives. Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic provides the introduction.

Future reports will feature the latest information on dengue, plague, lassa fever, and hantaviruses. Highlights include vaccine development, diagnostics, therapeutics, and public health approaches to fighting emerging infectious diseases.

Each report provides video and audio files as well as comprehensive coverage of the lecture. This multimedia eBriefing includes:

• Overview of the NIAID-sponsored series
• Bulleted highlights and complete journalist's reports on presentations by experts in the field
• Chapterized, searchable audio presentations, synchronized with speak
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