Research strategies for the treatment of biothreats

Whether it is a layperson in the street or a politician in the Senate, there is widespread fear over the consequences of biothreats. In response to these fears, a wide range of treatments has been developed. These include antibiotics (conventional and unconventional uses), nucleic acids (analogues, antisense, ribozymes and DNAzymes), immunomodulators, antibodies, bacteriophage therapy and micro-encapsulation. Furthermore, there are often additional benefits when these therapeutics are used in combination, rather than alone. Although there has been much investment in therapeutics against a terrorist threat for reasons of national security, there are likely to be far greater benefits and applications on domestic and world health.