Nebraska University System researchers work to protect troops from radiation exposure
The Nebraska university system received a multi-million dollar contract to continue development of its groundbreaking drug to help protect U.S. troops.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are one step closer to a first-of-its-kind medicine to help the effects of radiation.
"We're working to create drugs that you could take as a prophylactic agent, or as a preventative, to prevent the onset of ARS," said Ken Bayles, the UNMC vice chancellor of research. "Or, at least, the reduction of the symptoms that occur during ARS."
ARS, or acute radiation syndrome, is the body's physiological response to radiation. UNMC, UNL, and the National Strategic Research Institute's (NSRI) project would help U.S. troops fight against ARS.
Now, after a $24.5 million investment from the Defense Health Agency, the project can continue to completion.
"That shows the level of confidence that the Department of Defense has in our researchers here in Nebraska," said Maj. Gen. Richard Evans, retired U.S. Air Force and NSRI executive director. "And, so what this will do is allow us to continue that work for another five years and hopefully take this product eventually to our warfighters and benefit them in potentially some very harmful situations around the world."
Researchers say this is the largest investment in any single project in NSRI's history, and while there isn't a high demand for this medicine right now, they say it's crucial to be prepared.
"It's more being ready for that threat than it is that we're facing it right now today," Evans said. "And so from the military aspect, what we have to think about is the worst day."
Adding.
"We knew as a nation we needed to be prepared for the potential of either a nuclear or a radiological strike," Bayles said. "It's something that we can't imagine that will ever happen, but we still need to be prepared."
Researchers say this project wouldn't be possible without the Nebraska Drug Discovery and Development Pipeline, a collaborative platform merging different researchers and investigators.
"There's a great collaborative environment that was set up," Bayles said. "I think everybody really believes in the mission. They're energized by being able to develop these types of drugs that could potentially be used to protect our soldiers against the threat of radiation exposure."
Acknowledging the project is a powerful statement of what's possible when we work together.