This is a discussion post. It needs to be 250words in length.

One key to any campaign for counteringbioterrorism is rapid identification of the infectious agent. In the event ofan outbreak, trained personnel in Biosafety Level 4 microbiology laboratoriesmust be available and be equipped to handle high risk infectious agents. Rapididentification can save lives and limit dissemination of the weaponizedbiological agent.

You have learned about numerous tools –molecular, taxonomic, biochemical, etc. – that could be harnessed in aspecialized laboratory to isolate and identify a threatening bacterial species.Incorporate what you have learned into your responses to the scenario proposedhere.

Panic and fear have spread across the countryas 106 individuals in a large metropolitan center have come down with a severeillness of unknown origin. The media has announced a large terrorist cell hasclaimed responsibility and is taunting the government with claims of a highlycontagious and virulent pathogen. Microbiologists are scrambling to identifyand characterize the bacteria from patient specimens in order to instatesuccessful control measures and devise an effective therapeutic regimen. Forthis fictional scenario,

·Which bacterial species would you suspect is the causative agentand why. What features make your selected bacterial species a good candidatefor an agent of bioterrorism?

·What methods would you recommend for collection, culturing andidentifying the species you have identified? Defend your choices.

·How would you devise a workflow to ensure that the specimen wascorrectly identified and the laboratory workers safely and efficiently workedwith the specimen collected?

Along with your classmates, characterize asuperior disease-detection system for each of your chosen bacterial species.When possible suggest alternative protocols and be constructive in yourcritique of your classmate’s chosen agent, identification protocol andworkflow. Work together to ensure the disease is stopped in its tracks and thethreat of attack from the terrorist cell neutralized!!