OMAHA- After receiving almost $25 million from the Defense Health Agency, researchers at both the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center will begin searching for and developing a first-of-its-kind treatment aimed at protecting U.S. troops from the effects of acute radiation syndrome.

The grant, which is the third given to Nebraska researchers by the Defense Health Agency, was made to the National Strategic Research Institute, NU, and U.S. Strategic Command's University Affiliated Research Center. Acute radiation syndrome is caused by high levels of radiation spread by either a dirty bomb terrorist attack, nuclear accident, or the deployment of a nuclear weapon, according to the University of Nebraska.

David Berkowitz, a UNL professor of chemistry and co-principal investigator on the project, said researchers from NU will focus on both prevention and mitigation strategies. "It is really a challenging space scientifically, but I think that is why our team has been so successful," said Berkowitz, "We bring a truly interdisciplinary approach to the science, leveraging the power of the UNL and UNMC collaboration."

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