Caption: DTRA scientists work with interagency colleagues to develop technologies that will aid in the detection of biological weapons. (DTRA photo)

Rather than developing medical countermeasures that target a specific agent, TMTI targets novel mechanisms resulting from bio-engineering in order to produce countermeasures that are truly 'broadspectrum' and effective against a range of agents, even if newly engineered. [ TMTI Director ]

How do you deter and protect against bioengineered threats that may be mounted in the future by small groups rather than nation states?

In the decades before the end of the Cold War, the threat from biological weapons originated from state-run programs, which had the resources and expertise to develop horrific weapons. Fortunately, through significant investments and international cooperation, the threat posed by biological weapons programs has been significantly reduced.

However, as time went on, the expertise and resources needed to develop biological weapons have inadvertently became more widespread. Now, anyone – including rogue states and terrorist groups—with the right know-how can develop these dangerous weapons. This is an especially challenging problem facing not only the American warfighter, but also the entire United States and the world.

DTRA’s response to this challenge is the Transformational Medical Technologies Initiative (TMTI).

Through TMTI, DTRA is leading the way to find ways to protect the American warfighter from conventional and genetically engineered biological threats by accelerating the research and development of medical countermeasures.

The program leverages capabilities found in the higher education and research communities as well as through the private sector by offering funding for research into medical science and technology initiatives using cutting-edge technologies and innovative management approaches. Since it’s beginnings in Fiscal Year 2006, program awards were given to industry, academia and the government for potential products, platforms and enabling technologies.

Speed is the key. TMTI allows for the rapid response to new biological threats by combining all aspects of response, from identification of the threat to the manufacturing of those new countermeasures. Faster the response equals more lives saved.

TMTI also aims to develop countermeasures that will address a broad spectrum of biological threats, whether they are traditional or bioengineered. This "One-Size-Fits-All" approach is intended to better prepare our nations men and women in uniform on the front lines, ensuring they are ready for any threat they may face.