See what we’re reading this week at Global Biodefense on topics including the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAI); investigating shipment of chemical weapon components to Syria; and safely regulating the CRISPR genetic revolution.
BIOPREPAREDNESS
Re-Enforcing “One Health” Community Surveillance and Emergency Response Practice
Nigeria is no doubt now endemic for Lassa fever, there was an observed 21.3% seropositive prevalence in a countrywide study. The paper assesses the current trends in re-emerging Lassa fever geo-spatial distribution, inherent gaps and raising health system challenges towards improving interlinkage of laboratory and epidemiology surveillance to evidence for community towards One Health approach and practice. Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Pandemic Preparedness for Faith-Based Organizations
A collection of resources for faith-based organizations, funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative and supported by: North Dakota State University, Purdue University, University of Missouri, West Virginia University, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Extension Disaster Education Network
Senate Members Release Discussion Draft to Combat Bioterrorism and Pandemics
PAHPA was enacted in 2006 and reauthorized in 2013 to establish and build upon an all-hazards framework for responses to public health threats that may result in a public health emergency. The draft Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (PAHPAI) focuses on improvements to programs within the PAHPA framework to address these 21st century threats. Senate.gov
Lurching from Complacency to Panic in the Fight Against Dangerous Microbes
While public health has achieved notable victories such as the eradication of smallpox and the near elimination of wild polio, microbes have had millennia to learn how to adapt and survive. Instead, “smart” public health does not pretend to be able to eliminate infectious disease threats, but rather ameliorates the risk through rapid detection and effective response before outbreaks spread widely within communities, countries, and regions. Emory Law
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Progress and Achievements
The progress and achievements of 4 years of implementation of the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework Partnership Contribution in Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in 2014–2017. World Health Organization
PIRM – Building Country Capacity for Pandemic Response
Presentation slide deck from the 8th MENA Influenza Stakeholders Meeting in Cairo. Includes an outline of how the WHO plans on influenza pandemic preparedness evolved and guidance for surveillance during a pandemic. Fondation Mérieux
Will You Be Able to Reach Your People During a Pandemic?
Meg Nash, an emergency preparedness and public health expert, joins Danielle Ricci, Sr. Director of Marketing for AlertFind, to talk about how businesses can best communicate with their employees, vendors and customers during a pandemic. Business Continuity Institute
Let’s Avoid a Global Pandemic: It’s Time to Reconsider Our Approach to Flu
This severe flu season was worsened by a vaccine that was a poor match for the most active strains of the flu, and a shortage of IV saline products used for hydrating infected patients. However, with the peak of flu season behind us, we can now assess the very real threat of a pandemic flu. Uptown Magazine
CHEMICAL WEAPONS
Novichok Between Opinion and Fact: When Alternative Facts Become Blatant Untruths
The unprecedented disclosure of the OPCW’s internal decision-making process and findings by Russia’s Foreign Minister drew an unusually sharp rebuke from the organisation’s Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü. The Trench
British Firm ‘Masks’ Kim Jong-Un’s Chemical Weapons Supply to Syria
North Korea is accused of using a British ‘flag of convenience’ company to send components for Assad’s factories. A company registered at an industrial estate in Northamptonshire has become embroiled in the suspected shipment of chemical weapons supplies from North Korea to Syria. The Times
Chemical Weapons Agency: Inspectors Took Samples at Second Site in Douma
Inspectors with the global chemical weapons agency on Wednesday visited a second site in Syria’s Douma and took samples to help them determine whether banned toxic munitions were used there. Reuters
The Strategic Risks of Inaction on Syria’s Chemical Weapons
Syria’s chemical weapons program not only contributes to a tragic humanitarian situation, but its uninhibited use and maintenance creates strategic implications for the West and Israel. Should Syria – backed by Iran and Russia – continue to harbor chemical weapons, it could become the staging ground for the proliferation of such weapons to Hezbollah and others in the future. The Cipher Brief
VACCINES + THERAPEUTICS
Bill Gates is Donating $12 Million to Help Develop a Universal Flu Vaccine
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is partnering with Lucy and Larry Page, (the chief executive of Alphabet) to establish a $12 million fund for researchers working on a universal flu vaccine. Quartz
Flu Vaccines Have High Impact, Even with Relatively Low Efficacy
Even relatively low-efficacy influenza vaccines can have a high impact, especially with optimal distribution across age groups, according to a study published online April 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. MPR
HHS Partners to Develop New Treatment for Seizures Caused by Nerve Agents
HHS has teamed up with Proniras Corporation of Seattle to develop a new treatment for seizures that cannot be stopped with current medicines. HHS noted that uncontrollable seizures can result from exposure to nerve agents, and they can be deadly or lead to permanent brain damage. Pharmacist.com
Novel Antiretroviral Therapy Trogarzo Now Available to Treat HIV-1
Trogarzo (ibalizumab-uiyk injection) has been made available by Theratechnologies for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, in combination with other antiretroviral(s), in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug resistant HIV-1 infection failing their current antiretroviral regimen. MPR
As Antibiotics Fail, Global Consumption Soars
Despite the threat of a global health crisis in antibiotic resistance, worldwide use of antibiotics in humans soared 39 per cent between 2000 and 2015, fuelled by dramatic increases in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Crisis Response Journal
Working to Beat Malaria: The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme
Three African countries will pilot the RTS,S malaria vaccine in selected areas to see how best to provide the vaccine to young children. Learn more about the pilot implementation of RTS,S and why it is a critical next step toward a vaccine to combat malaria. Malaria Vaccine Initiative
Restricting the Sequence Space in Rosetta Antibody Design to Human-Like Antibodies
This research project aims to capture correlated mutations in the heavy/light chain interface and between the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) that are important for paratope shape and conformation when designing antibodies with Rosetta. Vanderbilt University
Achaogen Wins CARB-X Funding to Advance Novel Aminoglycoside
CARB-X funding to support Achaogen’s early-stage aminoglycoside program developing antibiotics for difficult to treat infections that are associated with high mortality. Awarded Up to $2.4 million over approximately 11 months, and potentially up to a total award of $12 million. Yahoo Finance
DURC + P3CO
Dual Use Research of Concern + Potential Pandemic Pathogen Care and Oversight
Addressing the Misuse Potential of Life Science Research
In Switzerland, a series of discussion sessions led by the Swiss Academy of Sciences with over 40 representatives from academic life science research institutions has revealed that while a formal code of conduct was considered too restrictive, a bottom-up approach toward awareness and education was highly welcomed. Europe PMC (abstract)
Keep CRISPR Safe – Regulating a Genetic Revolution
CRISPR exploits an ancient system that allows bacteria to acquire immunity from viruses. The advances made possible by CRISPR could bring vast benefits to society, but the technology also poses risks. An out-of-control gene drive could drastically alter or even threaten a species. Foreign Affairs
Cyberbiosecurity – A New Way to Protect the Bioeconomy and Gene Editing for Good
Life sciences and biotech are heavily engrained in cyber systems. Consider 3-D printing, personalized genomics, medical labs and surgical robots, etc. ‘Cyberbiosecurity’ is an emerging hybridized discipline at the interface of cybersecurity, cyber-physical security and biosecurity. Pandora Report
CRISPR-Cas: The Holy Grail Within Pandora’s Box
The seemingly tireless activity of the cutting enzymes of the CRISPR toolbox have led many researchers to question just how targeted and controlled this enzymatic reaction can be. Possible side- or off-target effects are by no means the only fodder for heated debates, and ethical questions abound on everything from embryo modifications to engineered pathogens. Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings
Risk Evaluation for Identification and Intervention in DURC for International Biological R&D Activity
A technical report from 2016 summarizing the work performed as part of a Laboratory Directed Research and Development project focused on evaluating and mitigating risk associated with biological dual use research of concern. Department of Energy
Pushing the Envelope on Cost/Benefit Analysis
Today, whether we like it or not, there is a constant need to justify funding for cutting-edge research. Grant money is scarce, and thanks to the internet, journalists are reporting the latest discoveries faster than ever before, raising questions among the general public about the possible impact of these studies. It is with this in mind that I think we are reaching a crossroads in public perception—with research on the avian influenza virus H7N9 likely to take center stage. BioTechniques Journal
LEADERSHIP
Rosalind Franklin Still Doesn’t Get the Recognition She Deserves for Her DNA Discovery
Rosalind Franklin died on April 16,1958 at the tender age of 37, but packed at least two lifetime’s worth of high quality science into her career. In the years since her death, she has won recognition among scientists for her research on the molecular structure of coal, viruses and, most notably, DNA. But wider fame has remained elusive. The Conversation
Kiersten Todt: The Spark for Public Service
In 2001, working for Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Connecticut), she wound up in the heart of the process of bringing the Department of Homeland Security into existence after 9/11. When the legislation to create the Department of Homeland Security was being developed in 2002, Todt found herself needing to draw on the expertise of people knowledgeable in key fields such as bioterrorism, science and technology, emergency management, critical infrastructure and cybersecurity. The Georgetowner
Vaxart Appoints Dr. David Taylor as Chief Medical Officer
Vaxart, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral recombinant vaccines that are administered by tablet rather than by injection, today announced the appointment of David Taylor, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer. Prior to joining Vaxart, Dr. Taylor served as a senior medical officer of the drug and vaccine development global programs at PATH. Citizen Tribune
Meet Three Women on the Front Lines of Zika Vaccine Testing
They are three women who have spent months getting an experimental vaccine in the name of science. On each date of a strict timetable, they’ve headed to windowless exam rooms in Bethesda, Md., Baltimore and Atlanta and stuck out their arms, to get an injection or to have blood drawn. Or both. Tampa Bay Times
