Medical, Occupational, Engineering, and Safety Aspects in Biodefense Research

Biodefense research involves working with highly hazardous organisms, dangerous toxins, or other hazardous materials, including chemical and radiological agents that could be employed by terrorists. An understanding of the pathogenesis of infectious agents and risks of disease transmission is essential in occupational health programs in the biomedical research setting, with the need for special biocontainment and the applications of technologies to minimize exposure. Biodefense concerns will be discussed, as well as the technological opportunities leading to the development of new medical countermeasures against terrorism.