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Byron Institute and national Institute of microbial forensics and food and agricultural biosecurity was conceptualized
after 9/11 when there were a series of new initiatives happening in Washington dc in response to new concerns about
biosecurity in the US. This was more apparent after the anthrax attacks that followed. What we realized at OSU was that
there was no center dedicated only to looking at the plant side of the issue and the vulnerability of our plant-based
agricultural systems. I was asked to take the initiative in leading a study of our capabilities in that area. And I
realized that someone needed to do this particular kind of work and so the National Institute was born. What we do here
is to try to adapt technologies for microbial forensics. The trace-back of pathogens, in this case pathogens to a
to allow any attribution to a criminal activity. After we got started we added the aspect of food safety. This has been
supported by recent outbreaks of food borne illness like e coli and salmonella poison in fresh produce not meats or
dairy.
The Henry Bellmon Center is fantastic. It's allowed our institute to come together in common spaces and is more
conducive to our interactions and efficiency of what we are trying to do. We can share equipment, interact with one
another much more frequently and constantly. The facilities are first rate as you can see this is a wonderful facility.