Dr. Rotella receives 2.3 million dollar grant from DTRA

Dr. David Rotella, Sokol Professor of Chemistry, received a 5 year, 2.3 million dollar grant from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to participate in a consortium whose goal is to identify inhibitors of botulinum protease for treatment and prevention of the paralysis due to exposure to this potential bioterror weapon. This is the second drug discovery project underway within the department and Sokol Institute. The new project includes groups in academia, industry and government working together to develop agents for this important biological weapon.