While
the detection of conventional biowarfare agents, for example anthrax,
may be difficult it is nevertheless achievable as the organisms and
their component
proteins and DNA are well documented and have been studied for years.
Of far greater concern is the detection of genetically engineered
biological agents which may be totally different from anything
presentlyknown. Current assay technologies generally rely on antibodies
directed against known proteins but a genetically engineered organsim
may be completely different.
These
biowarfare agents may in a certain sense be regarded in a similar
manner to the unknown pathogenic orgainsms described in the previous
link. Pastel has shown how its technology can be effective in uniquely
identifying unknown proteins and it is anticipated that Pastel's InVenio™
Technology and InVenio™
biomarker discovery & validation platform could prove to be a
significant tool in the detection of biowarfare agents.
