The yeast reference material was used in a functional field exercise for first responders in a nonpowdered form. The material challenged the entire detection workflow, from sample to answer, and enabled participants to demonstrate their ability to detect a biological material in the field with minimal risk. The field exercise was led by Captain Bryon Marsh (retired, Georgia National Guard 4th Civil Support Team) at Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia.
Credit: N. Lin/NIST
When there’s an accident or an emergency such as a fire in a building or a toxic spill, first responders arrive to help people at the scene. One type of emergency involves threats from biological agents such as bacterial or viral pathogens. First responders who train for these kinds of emergencies need to do so in a safe and careful manner. To help meet their needs, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a reference material based on yeast cells.
“Suspicious powder incidents occur regularly throughout the U.S., so first responders need routine training including simulated biothreat scenarios,” said NIST researcher Sandra Da Silva. “There was a need to make this training accessible while also avoiding exposure to a real pathogen. With support from the Department of Homeland Security, we came up with this yeast reference material to support local training in a safe manner.”
Biothreats vary by severity and fall into one of three categories: A, B or C. Category A includes biological agents that could pose a national security risk or deliberately be released to harm people, animals, plants or other living organisms. Anthrax — a serious infectious disease cause ..
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