Wild Camel Protection Foundation www.wildcamels.com
What do camels,sharks and Llamas have to do with Homeland Security?
Local Lab Using Local Lab Using Llamas To Fight Bioterrorism

War against bioterrorism is taking a hairy turn at a local research lab.

Llamas are docile animals, tame enough for a petting zoo. But in the laboratory at San Antonio's Southwest Foundation For Biomedical Research, llamas' blood is the focus in developing a new generation of devices to be used in the fight against bioterrorism.

Llamas' blood contains an antibody only found in a handful of animals, including sharks and camels.

Virologist Dr. Andrew Hayhurst is isolating single-domain antibodies from llamas' blood.

"(Llamas) have the unusual characteristic of being extremely resistant to high temperatures," said Hayhurst.

Scientists want to use these special antibodies to develop biosensors to detect the presence of threatening agents like ricin, anthrax or botulism in air or water.

Unlike antibodies from other animals, llamas' antibodies are not only heat resistant but also reusable.

"You can take (llamas) into the desert and you don't have to pay for refrigeration costs," said Hayhurst.

Hayhurst's research is just beginning, but he foresees a time when these reusable antibodies will help detect a wide range of substances from toxic chemicals to dangerous bacteria and viruses. click here

I am big supporter of an organization to save the last wild camels called the Wild Camel Protection Foundation
Learn more at www.wildcamels.com

Dawn Van Zant