Amid Terrorism Fears, Promising Leads in Hunt for Radiation Antidote

Virginia: University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers have identified promising drugs that could lead to the first antidote for radiation exposure that might result from a dirty bomb terror attack or a nuclear accident such as Chernobyl. Some of the compounds, including the drug rapamycin, have previously been shown to extend life in organisms such as worms and flies, though it’s unknown if they would have the same benefit in humans. UVA’s research suggests that these compounds, or similar drugs, might counter the deadly effects of ionizing radiation.

Safety switches curb bioterror risk

Edinburgh University. UK: The potential threat of bioterrorism using man-made biological organisms could be curbed, thanks to a new method. Synthetic biologists - who can design and modify the DNA of living organisms to give them novel, useful functions - have devised a way of containing their products to help ensure that they work only as intended.