title: Prospects for a novel ultrashort pulsed laser technology for pathogen inactivation.
abstract: The threat of emerging pathogens and microbial drug resistance has spurred tremendous efforts to develop new and more effective antimicrobial strategies. Recently, a novel ultrashort pulsed (USP) laser technology has been developed that enables efficient and chemical-free inactivation of a wide spectrum of viral and bacterial pathogens. Such a technology circumvents the need to introduce potentially toxic chemicals and could permit safe and environmentally friendly pathogen reduction, with a multitude of possible applications including the sterilization of pharmaceuticals and blood products, and the generation of attenuated or inactivated vaccines.
authors: Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
authors: Shaw-Wei D
authors: SW
authors: Tsen
authors: Tzyy Choou
authors: TC
authors: Wu
authors: Juliann G
authors: JG
authors: Kiang
authors: Kong-Thon
authors: KT
authors: Tsen
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000528:radiation effects; D014780:Viruses / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated