PATHOGEN DETECTION
Identification of The Microscopic Killers
Applications
Biodefense
Pathogen detection is needed for biodefense because of the technologies' highly sensitive and accurate analysis for discovering pathogenic agents. It is currently used in developing more ways to protect war fighters.
Biodefense is using medical procedures to to protect people from pathogens purposely used to harm them (bioterrorism). Procedures include vaccines and drug development. Preparation is made with research on pathogens.
From the U. S. Department of Defense, British armed forces with their respirators in the "U.S. Army Training Support Center Benelux chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear chamber."
Animal Health Care
Animal health care is uses pathogen detection by developing tests that are sensitive, fast, and accurate to control or treat any animal diseases. It is important because it will not only protect animals, but also humans who come into contact with them.
Animal health care includes vaccinations and surgical procedures to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. Some of the well known diseases is rabies and leptospirosis. Rabies is a virus commonly spread by dogs and their saliva. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through contact with infected animal urine or environment.
Forensics
Pathogen detection is utilized in forensics to identify the pathogen that caused the death of a person. Highly sensitive and accurate techniques are needed as the results are usually analyzed for legal purposes.
Forensic pathologists will need to collect the evidence and analyze it for the sudden cause of death. Identification of the pathogen will be a key role in determining the death.
Food Safety
Food safety is a growing concern in the world today, making a higher demand of fast and accurate pathogen detection techniques. Pathogen detection for plants is important from managing diseases that could affect greenhouses or fields that provide for the food industry.
Prevention of these diseases are able to be made with the technologies. The plant diseases are one of the main causes of limited crop productivity around the world and with a rapid growing population, as much food is needed. The loss of crops also leads to economic downfalls for some.