Biodefense: Research Methodology and Animal Models

The importance attached to rapidly developing our biodefensive capabilities has recently resulted in a significantly increased funding for biodefense research. Accordingly, researchers will respond with an effort equal to the challenge, producing an impressive body of findings.

To ensure that this effort continues in the most efficient manner, Biodefense: Research Methodology and Animal Models presents a thorough historical and current review of biodefense research, encouraging researchers to leverage relevant results, rather than duplicate them. By building on the work of others, scientists will be able to proceed in a way that makes the best use of available resources, while avoiding unnecessary duplication of animal research.

Including contributions from recognized leaders in the field who have developed and refined the animal models presented, this book examines those bacterial, viral, and toxic agents considered to pose the greatest threats to public safety. Each section on a specific agent provides pertinent background information, followed by a description of those animal models employed in research and testing and a discussion of how the findings translate to human impact.

Most readers will be surprised at the long-standing involvement of veterinarians in global historical programs-both offensive and defensive in nature...Dr. Swearengen's qualifications as the editor are matched only by the world-class assembly of contributors...This book should be one of those few dog-eared, ready references on your desk.
-Donald L Noah, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), Vol. 229, No. 12, December 2006
This text will be useful to physicians, veterinarians, scientists and technicians pursuing expertise in infectious diseases in general and, in particular, in infectious agents with potential as biological weapons. ...The first chapter, which reviews the history of biological weapons, is a chilling reminder of man's inhumanity to man in the successful-as well as unsuccessful-deliberate release of biological agents in the past. ...The main value of this text is the concise overview of each agent, with significant experimental data and extensivereferences.
-Mark T. Whary, DVM, Ph.D., DACLAM, in the Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS), Vol. 45, No. 5, September 2006
...includes a wealth of accurate well presented, well referenced information on the subject, including readable accounts of the history of biological warfare/bioterrorism and detail of specific disease threats, such as anthrax.
-Brian Austin, in Microbiology Today, 2006