Seminar features antiterrorism surveillance
ESU Media Relations
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Technology that detects potential terrorist activity will be the subject of a seminar hosted by Emporia State University's Departments of Physical Sciences this week.
Mark L. Witten, Ph.D., will speak on "Development of a Biosensor for Anti-Terrorism Surveillance," at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 in room 123 of the Cram Science Hall wing of ESU's Science Hall complex. Witten is a 1976 ESU graduate and 1992 Distinguished Alumnus designate. He now serves as a research professor of pediatrics at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson.
Witten and research colleagues have developed biosensors that are capable of measuring trace levels of gases, radioactive materials, metals and an airborne influenza virus.
Biosensors detect minute amounts of toxic substances and are frequently used in both environmental monitoring and water treatment facilities. On a larger scale, a canary in a cage, as used by miners to warn of gas, could be considered a biosensor.
"This is the kind of research that will be important in terms of detecting bioterrorist activity at its earliest stages and preventing additional injuries to health and public safety," said DeWayne Backhus, Ph.D., chair of ESU's Physical Sciences departments.
The public is invited to attend Dr. Witten's lecture. For more information, contact Backhus at 620-341-5330.