At the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, which was recognized in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, researchers from around the country continue to make progress in the global fight against COVID-19, helping to keep America healthy, secure, and prosperous.

At Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source (APS), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, many research groups are using APS beamlines to determine the exact structure of the proteins of the SARS CoV-2virus that causes COVID-19, which is composed of multiple copies of 28 unique proteins.

Researchers are not working with live virus, but with synthetic proteins that are nonhazardous.

As of April 6, 115 structures of these proteins had been submitted to the international Protein Data Bank (PDB), compiled by researchers around the world.

(Learn More. The Advanced Photon Source Upgrade (APS-U) transforms today’s APS into a world-leading, storage-ring-based, hard X-ray light source that equips scientists with a vastly more powerful tool for investigating and improving the materials that comprise nearly every aspect of our lives.  APS-U will allow researchers to see things at scale they’ve never seen before, opening new frontiers and breakthroughs in basic science and helping to solve pressing problems across a wide range of industries. Courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory and YouTube.)

In addition to work being done by a team led by Karla Satchell of Northwestern University and Andrzej Joachimiak of Argonne and the University of Chicago, many user groups have undertaken research at APS beamlines operated by five separate groups (IMCA-CAT, SBC-XSD, LS-CAT, GM/CA-XSD and NE-CAT).

As of April 1, 2020, the structures of six of the total 28 SARS CoV-2 proteins have been determined.

Additionally, several structures include bound potential antiviral drugs or antibodies, bringing the total number of structures determined at the APS to 13, with several more have been submitted to the PDB, but have not been released yet.

The APS is one of the best light sources in the world enabling science at scale, with high-brightness X-ray beams to illuminate the protein crystals at high resolution.

A recent call for more research teams seeking beam time to investigate SARS-CoV-2 has yielded a number of new research groups wanting to use the APS beamlines, and more are expected in the coming weeks.

In addition to this effort, researchers in Argonne’s Decision and Infrastructure Sciences Division (DIS) have worked in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update the Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT), a census software tool that was originally developed at the ANL.

The updated tool gives emergency managers information about vulnerable populations in their community and is based on census tract population data.

(Learn More about RAPT in this Webinar that provides information on all aspects of RAPT, including the background information, data in RAPT and functionality. It contains graphics discussing the methodology and selection of the community resilience indicators, an interactive demo of the data contained in RAPT and step-by-step descriptions of the functionality and how to use the various analysis tools. Courtesy of FEMA and YouTube. Posted on May 21, 2021.)

For instance, RAPT lists populations over 65, individuals with disabilities, and those who lack health insurance in different areas.

The tool also includes information on key infrastructure, such as nursing homes, pharmacies and hospitals (including the number of hospital beds), facts which are taken from the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation Level Data.

DIS is also helping the Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service (FPS), co-recipient in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, to track and map areas affected by COVID-19 by using the Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST).

MIST allows FPS Headquarters and FPS Management to track and display each federal building affected by COVID-19, and is led by Argonne’s Laura Adochio.

This important tool is also utilized to analyze local hospitals and EMS facilities in relation to federal buildings and office locations.

Finally, the National Preparedness Analytics Center, located at Argonne, has developed a simple community web portal for Vermont residents to offer support to other residents, during the pandemic.

A team of Argonne economists, decision scientists and disaster recovery experts led by Kyle Pfeiffer, Iain Hyde, Lesley Edgemon, John Dactelides and Matt Cowan, are providing valuable input by way of models, analysis and recommendations.

(Communicating with people about the risks they face — and the steps they can take in advance to improve their outcomes in the face of a disaster — is the essence of risk communication. See how researchers at Argonne National Laboratory specialize in all elements of emergency and disaster public information in order to help governmental agencies and businesses reach the public quickly and effectively in a crisis. Courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory and YouTube.)

Argonne National Laboratory Recognized in 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program

American Security Today’s ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards program is now in its Sixth Year and continues to recognize the Outstanding Innovations of top firms and agencies in the Homeland Security and Public Safety fields.

2020 was a very challenging year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the much heralded AST ‘ASTORS’ Awards Winners Presentations and exclusive Luncheon at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC had to be canceled and rescheduled for 2021 due to the virus.

However, the 2020 ‘ASTORS’  Homeland Security Awards Program was again a huge success and many new categories were added including a section for COVID-19 Detection and Innovation.

Federal Protective Service in Collaboration with the Argonne National Laboratory

Best Risk, Crisis Management Solution

• • Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST) – COVID-19 Telematics Capabilities

• DHS’s Federal Protective Service (FPS) provides integrated security and law enforcement services–including conducting security assessments and detecting and mitigating threats–to over 9,500 federal facilities. To accomplish this mission, FPS leverages the Modified Infrastructure Survey Tool (MIST), a joint solution developed in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory.

• Argonne and FPS have continuously sought ways to improve the tool’s ability to assess, detect, and mitigating threats, and this year, no threat was more pervasive in this country than COVID-19.

• To confront the threat that COVID-19 posed to the FPS workforce, MIST was enhanced to allow FPS Headquarters and FPS Management to track and display each federal building affected by COVID-19, and to analyze local hospitals and EMS facilities in relation to federal buildings and office locations.

• Additionally, the map capability within MIST was expanded to allow for many additional layers, allowed FPS a granular understanding of the number of facilities impacted by the virus, and much more. 

• Ultimately, the new COVID-19 telematics capabilities offered FPS decision makers the ability to make better informed decisions on moving personnel and security equipment to best protect people and property, while ensuring safety of their staff. 

• The Federal Protective Service and Argonne National Laboratory have also been recognized in the 2019, and 20188 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Programs respectively.

• To Learn More, please visit the DHS Federal Protective Service and Argonne National Laboratory websites.

The 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, X.Labs and Reed Exhibitions, every one a returning Sponsor from 2020, 2019 and More.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.

As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Check Out the New 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2020 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.

It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2020 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, click here.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.