Federal biosecurity priorities outlined during BIO

CHICAGO -- Senior officials from four federal agencies spoke Wednesday on President Obama's bioscience and biosecurity priorities during the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago.

Representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Council discussed how federal agencies are working closely together to meet man-made and natural threats to food, water and public health.

"On behalf of Wisconsin companies and researchers that work in these sectors, we wanted to learn about federal research priorities and how those companies and researchers can meet federal needs," said Jack Heinemann, director of the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium.

The Madison-based WSRC works with academic researchers and small businesses in Wisconsin, helping them connect with federal science and technology directors.