Biothreats are an increasing and unpredictable security issue. To tackle this, we are working on a NATO multi-year project that will create new ways to detect biowarfare targets. We will use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with ultra-sensitive biosensing and imaging flow cytometry technologies developed by a team of experts working with end-users.

Bacillus subtilis is a non-pathogenic model of warfare agent Bacillus anthracis (producer of anthrax). Using this, we'll develop new biosensing approaches and sampling by UAVs for autonomous bio-detection of biowarfare targets. This includes a TRL5 demonstration of the technology during a future REP(MUS) military exercise, hosted and organised by the Portuguese Navy and NATO. The project involves an end-user and manufacturer of UAVs, Beyond Vision.

Our project is sponsored by NATO's Science for Peace and Security Programme (SPS) and aligns with SPS key priorities:

• defence against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents
• security-related technological advances

Team

• Dr Nuno M Reis, University of Bath, Nato Project Director (NPD)
• Professor Andrew deMello, ETH Zurich, Partner Project Director (PPD)
• Dr Paulo Roberto Ferreira da Rocha, University of Coimbra, Co-Director
• Dr Luis Lopes, Laboratory of Instrumentation and Experimental Particle Physics, Co-Director