Ubiquitous Computing for Microbial Forensics and Bioterrorism

abstract Microorganisms are ubiquitous in their presence. They are present in air, soil, water, and all kinds of living creatures. Varieties of microbes have been linked to diseases of humans, animals, and plants. Advances in molecular biology, electronics , nanotechnology, computer sciences, and information technology have made it possible to hybridize these to create ubiquitous devices and biosensors that would indicate presence of microbial agents in water, foods, air, hospitals, animal farms, and other environments. Analyses of microbial genomes and phylogenies have become increasingly important in the tracking and investigation of events leading to spread of microbial diseases and biocrimes. The capability of microorganisms to communicate with similar as well as different microorganisms, the ability to react to the environmental changes, and most of all, the intelligence to manage themselves without the need for supervision during deployment and operation; makes them attractive agents for use in Biosensors. Biosensors such as genetically engineered bacteria have been proven useful. It appears possible to develop biosensors that could detect the presence of biocrime/bioterror agents in diverse environments. Ubiquitous computing technology has the potential to develop integrated small devices which could detect bioterrorism agents. Similarly, pervasive computing could be a tool to monitor the microbial pollution in water, milk, and other edible commodities. Microbial forensics BLOCKINhas BLOCKINbecome BLOCKINan BLOCKINimportant BLOCKINfield BLOCKINfor BLOCKINre-958 Ubiquitous Computing for Microbial Forensics and Bioterrorism bioweapon against people, animals and crops have frightened people worldwide. Bioterrorism can be defined BLOCKINas BLOCKINthe BLOCKIN " unlawful BLOCKINuse BLOCKINof BLOCKINviruses, BLOCKINbacteria, fungi, toxins or other pathogenic materials against a government, the civilian population, livestock, crops or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political, social and/or economic objectives. " An apparent increase in the emergence of novel infectious diseases, including avian influenza, severe acquired respiratory syndrome (SARS), and others, has also brought microorganisms into sharp focus. Microbial BLOCKINforensics BLOCKINis BLOCKINa BLOCKINrelatively BLOCKINnew BLOCKINscientific discipline dedicated to analyze microbiological evidence from a crime for attribution purposes (McEwen et al., 2006). The majority of microbial infections in humans, animals and plants occur naturally, without malicious intent or criminal negligence. However, recent reports of bioterror-ism indicate that microorganisms and their products could be deliberately released to cause human deaths and economic losses due to loss of animals and crops. For example, in 1997 some unknown persons illegally introduced rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus into New Zealand, apparently to control the large wild rabbit population that was posing a …