Comparative Gene Sequence/Expression Analysis of Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Micro-Organisms

Biological warfare (BW) and bioterrorism are significant and increasing global threats. Genetic engineering made possible by the Human Genome Project may allow the development of novel BW agents and escalation of the BW threat. Major problems inbiological weapons defense are the identification of the biological agent, determining the pathogenic genes, and providing counteragents including vaccines and targeted antibiotics. This application will apply techniques of high-throughput DNA sequencingto sequence conventional and non-conventional BW agents or near neighbors and develop the sequence information necessary for rapid detection and response. Initial pilot scale sequencing has been carried out under Phase I of this award and libraries andclone resources necessary for determining the complete DNA sequence of Bacillus thuringiensis, a non-pathogenic near neighbor of Bacillus anthracis, have been developed. Following sequencing, commercialization of this research will focus on 1) rapiddiagnostics for BW detection and 2) exploiting Egea's high-speed gene synthesis technology for implementation of a rapid counter-measures system for the immediate production of vaccines and/or therapeutic antibodies for novel agents. The ultimatecommercial impact will be an instrumentation system capable of identifying and responding to novel BW agents such as those that could be produced through genetic engineering.