title: The evolving field of biodefence: therapeutic developments and diagnostics.
abstract: The threat of bioterrorism and the potential use of biological weapons against both military and civilian populations has become a major concern for governments around the world. For example, in 2001 anthrax-tainted letters resulted in several deaths, caused widespread public panic and exerted a heavy economic toll. If such a small-scale act of bioterrorism could have such a huge impact, then the effects of a large-scale attack would be catastrophic. This review covers recent progress in developing therapeutic countermeasures against, and diagnostics for, such agents.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Therapeutics Program, Target Structure-Based Drug Discovery Group, National Cancer Institute-SAIC, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA.
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Burnett
authors.forename: Erik A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Henchal
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Schmaljohn
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bavari
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023482:Bioterrorism; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015195:Drug Design; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents