Biological Defense Research Directorate
BDRD is a cutting-edge research program that works to protect service members and civilians from biological threats.
Devising methods to combat biological warfare agents has been critical to ensuring the safety of U.S. service members and civilians. The Navy's Biological Defense Research Directorate (BDRD) has long been a leader in biological weapons defense research.
BDRD's laboratory at the Naval Medical Research Center was selected as one of just three national laboratories in the CDC Laboratory Response Network. This distinction is a direct result of BDRD's expertise in the field.
Detecting and Protecting Against Biological Weapons
BDRD is responsible for advances such as portable assays widely used by DoD and other federal agencies to detect biological agents. Program researchers are working on next- generation hand-held assays, which will both detect agents and indicate if they are active.
Investigators also are working on DNA vaccines to protect against anthrax. BDRD has expanded its program to include genomics—the analysis of the structure and function of genes. The hope is that this will result in more effective diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutic approaches.
From Genes to Vaccines
BDRD's "gene to vaccine" initiative is aimed at creating agile vaccines from a DNA-based model. In traditional vaccines, proteins are manufactured outside the body and injected, a process that requires significant time and money. In agile vaccines, proteins are manufactured by the body, and are easier to manipulate and less expensive to produce. BDRD scientists are testing a combined agile vaccine for anthrax and plague.
Researchers are working to both improve the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics for anthrax, and to extend the post-exposure treatment window. Another goal is to devise an effective method to generate human monoclonal antibodies for the disease.
Plant-based Vaccines
A further avenue of exploration involves investigating methods to generate human antibodies and oral vaccines in plants. BDRD investigators have taken antibodies from immunized humans and reproduced them in tobacco and alfalfa plants. Early-stage studies have shown that these antibodies protect from a subsequent exposure to anthrax.
Antibodies produced in plants are more stable and stay alive longer than those made using traditional approaches. The ability to use plants as hosts also would allow the production of far greater quantities of protective antibodies.