Homeland Security

The University: Experience and Qualifications

Since its founding in 1855 as the first land grant university in the U.S., Michigan State University has adhered to its original mission: to “strive to discover practical uses for theoretical knowledge, and to speed the diffusion of information to residents of the state, the nation, and the world.” In operational terms, MSU has concentrated on building its strengths in educating and training succeeding generations of researchers both from the U.S. and the world at large. It has sought to establish collaborative links with people and institutions worldwide, broadening its research, academic and service outreach.

MSU is recognized as a center of excellence in international development. The academic and professional community at Michigan State is highly diverse and responsive and augments the University’s international goals with a broad array of globally relevant skills and expertise. People from every county in Michigan, every state in the U.S. and 134 countries around the world contribute to the University’s success. Annually, more than 3500 international students and scholars enroll in MSU’s graduate and undergraduate and certificate programs. MSU plays host to hundreds of international visitors every year who come to view campus research facilities, participate in campus life as visiting scholars and specialists, or to meet with MSU colleagues. Hundreds of MSU faculty members are engaged in critical outreach programs in many countries throughout the world, teaching, conducting research or providing technical assistance.

For more than 50 years, Michigan State University has been a leader among U.S. universities in international development programs. MSU has had a broad and deepening involvement in conducting technical assistance and research in developing countries, assisting the development of new institutions, and providing training for development tasks. MSU, through its Departments and Institutes and Centers, has also managed projects throughout the world, providing short- and long-term in-country technical assistance, degree and non-degree training programs, and extensive backstopping support from the main campus. The Office of the Dean of International Studies and Programs has overall responsibility for the university’s international initiatives. While historically a majority of MSU’s international development and technical assistance projects have been conducted by faculty in various departments of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, international expertise is increasingly incorporated into all aspects of university life marking MSU as a global university.

The Office of Contract and Grant Administration (CGA) holds fiscal audit authority and responsibility for the MSU contractual portfolio with both domestic and international external donors. In fiscal 2006-2007 awards for sponsored projects reached $308 million. To ensure that MSU is aware of, and can comply with the various agency regulations, CGA is organized by funding agency. CGA has a separate group dedicated to administration of international projects.

Institutional Resources

 EPA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have established a jointly funded Center of Excellence at Michigan State University that will fill critical gaps in microbial risk assessment frameworks needed to support homeland security objectives.

The Center for Advancing Microbial Risk Assessment (CAMRA)

The intent of CAMRA is to address critical data gaps necessary to complete credible microbial risk assessments for decontamination. Reliable microbial risk assessments are needed for government agencies to quickly evaluate and communicate real and potential risks for homeland security biological threat agents such as anthrax, smallpox, botulism, plague, viral hemorrhagic fever, and tularemia. The research conducted by this Center develops creative approaches for methods to assess the risk of exposure to pathogens in air, water, soil, and on hard surfaces in indoor and/or outdoor environments. Major issues include a determination of whether the standard methods used in chemical risk assessments apply to pathogens, if previously developed methods and models for foodborne or other infectious diseases can be used to assess homeland security risk, and determining whether pathogen-specific risk assessments are necessary. examining the need for specific risk assessment methods for certain pathogens. Information CAMRA develops assist first responders and policy-makers as they work to protect lives and set decontamination goals.Biosensors Laboratory, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

The research focus of the Biosensors Lab is to develop biosensor devices for rapid, specific, highly sensitive, simultaneous, and on-site detection of microbial pathogens and toxins in food, water, animals, plants, and the environment for the ultimate purpose of enhancing public health and biosecurity. A biosensor is a device that incorporates a biological recognition (sensing) element that is integrated with a signal transducer to give a reagentless sensing system specific to a target (analyte). Biosensor technologies encompass a wide range of disciplines due to the physical, chemical, and biological designs, the variety of biological recognition elements, and the wide selection of signal transducing mechanisms. Biological recognition elements used in our biosensors are DNA probes, antibodies, enzymes, and cells. The methods of signal transduction range from electrical, electrochemical, optical, and magnetic systems. Our applications include homeland security biological countermeasures, food and water safety, clinical diagnosis, and microbial analysis. The Biosensors Lab is certified to handle biosafety level 2 type of research. It is part of the National Center for Food Protection and Defense, a homeland security center of excellence. The Biosensors Lab also offers services for the validation of rapid detection methods and characterization of micro- and nano-transducing materials.