search articles:     from the issue of September 9, 2004         Research and Discovery - Biological center studies vaccines for botulinum, Valley Fever UNL's Biological Process Development Facility is able to develop and test processes to create vaccines and drugs pure enough to be tested on humans. UNL's facility, directed by chemical engineer Mike Meagher, is one of the few based at universities with this specialized ability and as such, the lab has landed several significant projects.     MEAGHER In September 2003, Meagher's facility received $6.5 million to develop fermentation and purification processes for botulinum vaccines. This grant is a portion of an $11 million grant funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Botulinum neurotoxin is generally recognized as the most deadly toxin known and has been converted for use as a weapon of bioterrorism. Under the grant, the team will develop within five years the manufacturing processes for a vaccine that will protect against all known forms of botulinum neurotoxin. The lab also began work on research and development to produce a vaccine for human clinical trials against coccidioidomycosis, or Valley Fever. The Valley Fever Vaccine Project at Cal State University-Bakersfield has identified a potential vaccine and contracted with UNL's facility in February to develop a process to create a product suitable for clinical trials. Funding comes through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and several Californian organizations. Valley Fever is caused by the fungus Coccidioides immitis found in the soil in dry or semi-arids areas of the American Southwest, northern Mexico and Central and South America. The fungal spores cause pulmonary infection and, while treatable, can progress to chronic, sometimes fatal, disease. Antibiotics are only partially effective and require months or years of treatment. The BPDF also is working on development of a ricin vaccine and is collaborating in basic research on tularemia. GO TO: ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 9 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SEPTEMBER 9 Year in Review 2003-2004 Looking to the Future: New People, New Facilities - Construction brightens landscape and buildings Research and Discovery - Biological center studies vaccines for botulinum, Valley Fever Service to Our State - UNL unites to help storm victims Student Successes - 12 earn the nation's biggest academic honors Teaching Faculty & Program Successes - Grant funds Fosse study, leads to D.C. Teaching, Faculty & Program Successes - New college focuses on families, education The University from a National View - UNL 100 years of Extension 2 honored for research, creativity Academy praises film Architecture chapter is best in the country Broadcasting senior claims 2nd forensics title Center assists food companies for 20 years Company helps track mad cow disease Conference tackles water, law conflicts Duo looks into social impacts of infertility Feedlot has room to grow Future lawyers win national contest Graduate earns 1st degree in culinology Hanson gains USDA teaching award Helping parents prepare for school J.D. Edwards students create cattle-tracking software Nebraska Lectures return Now on NET: HDTV NU gains a new president, other leaders for new year Program creates tests to fight food allergens Ritchie's work earns NU honors Savory joins Academy Scientists' beef research earns international prize Statistics expands Tularemia examined as a bioterror threat UNL continues to climb various U.S. rankings UNL is a home for all things Lewis and Clark Work studies our unique Sandhills Zeng's discoveries lead to fellowship 731833S33573X