UNC garners grant to study possible weapon

In the middle of campus, a few UNC researchers are taking on a quest to find vaccines that might negate the effects of a hazardous biological attack.

The National Institutes of Health awarded a $3.5 million research grant to Jeffrey Frelinger, chairman of UNC's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, to study Francisella tularensis, an infectious bacterium that could be used by terrorists.

Frelinger said the grant will fund a very broad spectrum of research geared toward painting a better picture of the potential biological weapon.

"It's important to be able to work out parts of any pathogen to make vaccines and diagnosis," he said.

In the wrong hands, F. tularensis could present a very serious problem, Frelinger said.

"It has a lot of potential for bioterrorism," he said.

F. tularensis is mostly found in small animals, especially rodents, rabbits and hares - "rabbit fever" is the common name for the disease the bacteria causes in humans.

The bacteria is not transmitted between people, but results from contact with infected animals, from flea and other insect bites, or from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Symptoms of "rabbit fever" include high fever, muscle aches and skin ulcers

If terrorists decided to use the bacteria as a bioweapon, they most likely would employ an airborne strain, which would produce severe respiratory illness.

Tom Kawula, a professor in the microbiology and immunology department, also is involved in researching the bacteria. He said several higher-education institutes are participating in the study.

John Frelinger, Jeffrey Frelinger's brother, is contributing to the project from the University of Rochester by using robot technology.

While much of the research will be conducted by UNC, screening will occur in laboratories at the University of Rochester, John Frelinger said.

"One thing I've seen with biodefense work is many more collaborative efforts," Tawula said. "I think we're getting better and better at people combining their expertise."

The work will probably take several years to complete, Jeffrey Frelinger said.

Tawula also stressed the need for a sufficient amount of time to develop an effective vaccine.

"There is a misconception about making vaccinations," he said. "To make a good vaccine, you have to understand the disease."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.