Expert institutions network to reduce threat of bioterrorism
In recent years, terrorist use of biological toxins has threatened civil society in Europe. To meet future threats, the EU-funded EuroBioTox project brought together 63 expert institutions from 23 countries. The project included leaders in disaster management, first responders and laboratory experts from security, health and food sectors.
Breakthroughs in Certified Reference Material
One of the major accomplishments of the project is a direct result of molecular lab work. EuroBioTox produced five Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) for the following protein toxins: ricin, abrin, botulinum neurotoxins A and B and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B. This is a cutting-edge achievement. According to project coordinator Brigitte Dorner: “Since there are no other CRMs available worldwide for these biotoxins, the reagents will be highly useful for expert laboratories and practitioners, having a great potential for further exploitation beyond the lifetime of EuroBioTox.” The CRMs produced by the project have been made widely available to authorized expert institutions, which makes the world a safer place. As Dorner states: “A CRM is the critical ‘anchor point’ to correctly detect, identify and quantify the biotoxin found on an incident scene. All the information together relates to the scale of an incident and determines which countermeasures have to be initiated.” In addition to the creation of CRMs, EuroBioTox lab work also made great strides in developing in vitro and ex-vivo methods for detecting selected toxins. The animal tests currently used in detecting botulinum neurotoxin are ethically compromised, and the project’s investigations point to viable alternatives.
The EuroBioTox training programme
The multifaceted training opportunities developed by the project complement its laboratory advances. The network built and supported by EuroBioTox is crucial to successfully combatting bioterrorism. As Dorner acknowledges: “Based on the status achieved at the end of the programme, it will be of utmost importance to build upon the capabilities reached to stabilise the expert network so that it is effectively working in case of an incident.” EuroBioTox launched 19 training courses designed to support partners with various backgrounds and levels of experience. These courses sparked multidisciplinary conversations, and thereby strengthened the network of actors involved in bioterrorism response. The project also organised 11 proficiency tests (PTs) on different biotoxins. PTs are designed for laboratory self-assessment, and involve detection, identification and quantification of specific substances. Over 29 laboratories participated in the EuroBioTox PTs. The tests provided an essential tool for measuring accuracy and efficiency in laboratory diagnostics. To strengthen the biotoxin response network, EuroBioTox created a repository of reagents and tools, including a panel of high-quality detection instruments such as monoclonal antibodies. This repository is available to all partners in the project’s network. Additional efforts at disseminating information include a website with over 49 000 visitors, four annual newsletters, more than 60 oral presentations, multiple scientific publications and a variety of e-learning materials, such as videos. Terrorists have shown interest and capacity in utilising biotoxins. With the combination of outstanding lab work and comprehensive networking, EuroBioTox has laid the groundwork for an efficient response.
Keywords
EuroBioTox, biotoxin , CRMs, bioterrorism, Certified Reference Material, animal tests, proficiency tests
