(Micro)bioterrorism: Genomic Epidemiology Methods to Improve Anthrax Preparedness and Response Efforts

Purpose and aims: The proposed project aims to improve epidemiological surveillance of anthrax-causing Bacillus cereus group members using genomic data.

Anthrax surveillance is challenging, due to (i) inadequate bioinformatic resources, and knowledge gaps in anthrax epidemiology, particularly among (ii) antimicrobial resistant (AMR) lineages and (iii) rare, emerging anthrax-causing "B. cereus" lineages.

To address these critical gaps, the proposed project will: (i) facilitate the development of an anthrax genomic surveillance portal (Aim 1), which can be used freely by public health labs around the world.

The portal will be used to identify and monitor the evolution and geographic spread of (ii) AMR B. anthracis (Aim 2) and (iii) anthrax-causing "B. cereus" (Aim 3).Project organization: The project will be undertaken by a PhD student and myself and will take four years to complete (2-years for Aim 1, 1-year each for Aims 2 and 3).

Scientific methods used include bioinformatic workflow, database, and web tool development (Aim 1) and comparative/phylogenomic methods (Aims 2 and 3).Importance: Due to the severity and bioterrorism potential of anthrax, anthrax-causing B. cereus group members represent a severe global public health threat.

The proposed project will provide novel insights into the epidemiology of anthrax-causing B. cereus group lineages, which can be leveraged to improve anthrax surveillance, public health response, and emergency preparedness efforts.