Environmental air sampling to detect biological warfare agents

The rapid and unequivocal detection and identification of biological warfar e agents is a major goal of military and civilian defense authorities. To i dentify agents of concern in an environmental sample, a reliable, region-sp ecific characterization of the microorganisms found naturally at the sampli ng location is required. We have analyzed environmental air samples from Ko rea, Kuwait, and Bahrain by polymerase chain reaction and temporal temperat ure gradient electrophoresis and have produced genetic fingerprints of the natural microbial flora in these regions, Results are displayed as specific bar code patterns against which the unique patterns of potential biologica l warfare agents appearing in a sample can be quickly discriminated. Data a re stored on compact disk, along with other laboratory analyses and relevan t meteorological data, and are available to appropriate authorities and res earchers.