The rapidly advancing field of biodefense benefits many other, critical public health concerns.

UNLABELLED: Extract: In 2001, the public was introduced to one of the deadliest of biowarfare agents -- Bacillus anthracis -- the bacterium that causes anthrax. At the time, it was unimaginable that one might come into contact with such a deadly pathogen by simply opening the mail. Today anthrax is a nearly ubiquitous household word. This single act of bioterrorism had a profound effect in that it clearly demonstrated that even a small-scale attack could incur huge repercussions: the loss of life, the need for thousands to be treated with prophylaxis, public panic, and a large economic toll. Following this realization, a major government effort to find new and more effective ways to detect, diagnose, and therapeutically counter biothreat agents was initiated. So, how has this initiative fared?

ANSWER: in a very short period of time the scientific community has responded with a massive and productive effort. Driving the research advances described in this review: 1) a vastly improved understanding of the biological mechanisms and machinery used by biothreat agents; 2) state-of-the-art high-throughput screening technologies; and 3) more efficient, standardized methods and improved protocols for detecting, identifying, and diagnosing biowarfare agents. Furthermore, as with all good science, many recent biodefense research discoveries/advances have also directly facilitated our understanding and ability to treat other diseases, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and viruses (such as HIV and SARS).