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Biosciences

Biodefense

Photo of macrophage and microchip

To protect our nation from biological attacks, Sandia researchers are studying the interaction of immune cells with pathogens at single-cell resolution. Left: A macrophage in late-stage infection with the bacterium Franciscella novicida. Right: A microchip used to study cellular signaling in macrophages infected with bacteria.

An important element of Sandia’s national-security mission is to provide solutions that help protect the security of our homeland and our military forces against the threats of biological weapons, acts of terrorism, and newly emergent pathogens. Whether these are threats against our civilian population or our military forces, they must be addressed by an approach that integrates advanced technology with a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis and host–pathogen interactions, with a particular emphasis on the human immune response.

To improve our nation’s ability to anticipate and defend against biological threats, our multidisciplinary research team is applying Sandia’s traditional strengths in engineering and technology development to achieve the following goals:

  1. Gain basic knowledge regarding the fundamental molecular processes of pathogenesis, including the dynamic interactions between microbial pathogens and their hosts.
  2. Develop assays, novel materials, and platforms to detect and diagnose traditional and unknown pathogens, as well as to discover novel therapeutic targets.
  3. Obtain an understanding of the microbiome’s effects on human health in the absence or in the presence of an infectious disease.

Learn more about innovative biodefense solutions developed by Sandia researchers in the areas of host–pathogen interactions and detection platforms.