Senator Corzine Announces $500,000 for Development of Important Diagnostic Tools

Newark, NJ, April 15, 2003

United States Senator Jon S. Corzine (D-N.J) today formally announced a $500,000 grant to the Public Health Research Institute to develop a rapid testing system for the detection of highly pathogenic organisms that have been identified by federal health officials as likely to be used in bioterrorist attacks.

The grant will allow the Newark-based PHRI to pursue important research, and comes at an especially critical time with the United States at war and on guard at home against the potential for a second terrorist attack.

"With our country in a state of war, the potential for biological terrorist attacks within our borders has escalated," Senator Corzine said. "We have already experienced the results of an anthrax scare in our very own state, and we must be prepared for an even greater threat.

"One of the crucial tasks in a bioterrorist event is to perform a large number of diagnostic tests quickly. This funding will help the development of fast molecular testing," he said.

Lewis Weinstein, PHRI's president, said the Institute's approach specifically addresses the amount of time that was required to identify organisms during the 2001 anthrax scare. "Whether the samples came from people or environmental surfaces, testing took much too long, often up to a week," Mr. Weinstein said. "More rapid testing will allow public health officials and medical providers to focus on positive identifications, while allowing those who are not affected to return to their normal pursuits."

PHRI's rapid detection program will be co-directed by Dr. David Perlin, the Institute's scientific director, and Dr. Fred Russell Kramer. The program will utilize molecular beacons technology, which was invented by PHRI scientists Dr. Sanjay Tyagi and Dr. Kramer.

According to Dr. Perlin, "PHRI's approach will address a variety of organisms, natural or man-made, and will also include tests for drug resistance. Results will become available in a matter of hours, instead of days or longer. We have already developed a probe to identify anthrax, and expect to validate and field test this probe in the near future."

The rapid detection system would be based on DNA analysis of substances most likely to be used in a bioterrorist attack, like anthrax.

PHRI was founded in 1941 to study infectious diseases that were threatening the health and safety of the people of New York City. Today, its infectious disease focus is both local and global. PHRI's research includes the development of new diagnostics, candidates for new drugs and vaccines, and fundamental studies to understand the nature of infection at the molecular level.

PHRI recently initiated a statewide program to help New Jersey hospitals prevent the spread of hospital-acquired, drug-resistant infections, and is increasingly involved in biodefense research. PHRI moved from New York City to Newark in March 2002. It is located at the International Center for Public Health at Newark's University Heights Science Park.

Senator Jon Corzine talks with
PHRI Board Chair Robert K. Lifton
at a PHRI dinner event.