finding anthrax in the field
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NEWS OF THE WEEK
BIOHAZARD Anthrax spores are seen under phase contrast microscopy.
B I O W E A P O N D E T E C T I O N
FINDING ANTHRAX IN THE FIELD Sensitive, portable Raman method detects deadly biological agent quickly
Johnson
F IRST RESPONDERS ARRIVING at the scene of a biological attack may soon have a new
tool to help them distinguish between deadly anthrax spores and innocuous white powder. A team at Northwestern University has
developed a quick way to detec t an anthrax biomarker using abattery-pow-ered, portable Raman spectrometer (J. Am. Chem. Soc, published online March8,http://dx. doi.org/10.1021/ja 043623b).
Although there are a number of methods for identifying anthrax, few lend themselves to use in the field, according to chemistry professor Richard R Van Duyne, who spearheaded the effort. Most anthrax detection methods either can't be performed outside the laboratory take too long, or require a relatively large amount of anthrax spores.
Van Duyne reports that the procedure developed in his lab takes only 11 minutes and is sensitive enougji to detect about 2,600 anthrax spores—about one-quarter the infectious dose of 10,000 spores. icWe are by no means at the
end of our development cycle," he adds. "I think we can easily go to a factor of 10 times more sensitive and 10 times faster."
The anthrax detection protocol developed by Van Duyne and graduate students Xiaoyu Zhang, Matthew A. Young, and Olga Lyandres uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect calcium dipicolonate, a compound found in the protective layers of anthrax spores. SERS has been used to detect anthrax in the past, Van Duyne notes, but by using a specialized substrate made of nanospheres coated with a silver film, his group was able to speed up SERS detection and increase its sensitivity by a factor of 200.
Van Duyne tells C&EN that the project's original goal was to study fundamental aspects of surface Raman scattering. "This is a perfect example of a basic research project that could provide a great deal of societal good," he says. —BETHANY HALF0RD
A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
JOHNSON TAPPED TO LEAD EPA Bush nominates career employee for environment agency's top job
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH S March 4 nomination of longtime EPA employee
Stephen L.Johnson to head the agency has met nearly universal praise.
Johnson, 53, has served as acting administrator since Michael O. Leavitt left the post in January to become secretary of health and human services. Johnson was deputy administrator of EPA under Leavitt and assistant administrator for prevention, pesticides, and toxic substances in the first term of the Bush Administration.
Johnson, who has worked at
the agency for 24 years, would be the first career EPA employee to lead the agency. This contrasts with the two sitting governors Bush picked to lead the agency in his first term: Christine Todd Whi tman of New Jersey and Leavitt of Utah.
Congressional Republicans and environmental activists offered measured praise about Johnson's nomination, while chemical industry representatives were more enthusiastic.
Terry Ε %sie, American Chemistry Council vice president for Responsible Care, calls Johnson a
good listener who has the skills to forge a consensus among divided factions. "I think Steve is exceptionally well qualified for this job," ^bsie says. He worked with Johnson in the 1970s and '80s when Ifosie was staff director of EPA's Science Advisory Board and John-son was staff director of the agency's Science Advisory Panel, which addresses pesticide issues.
"It will be great to see a scientist lead EPA," says James Cooper, senior manager of government relations for the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association. Johnson holds an un-dergraduate degree in biology from Taylor University and a master's of science in pathology from George Washington University. Cooper compliments Johnson's efforts to foster and facilitate voluntary and collaborative partnerships with industry
The Senate must confirmjohn-son before he becomes administrator.— CHERYLH0GUE
12 C&EN / MARCH U , 2005 H T T P : / / W W W . C E N - O N L I N E . O R G