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Project update









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From left: Steven Hinrichs, M.D., John Sebastian and Dan Japuntich of 3M, Michael Lore, TeAnne Brown, Constance Nelson and Gina Buccellato of 3M, Tony Sambol, Nicole McCoullough of 3M, and Pete Iwen, Ph.D.

Representatives from the 3M Corporation met with UNMC researchers during a site visit recently to receive updates on a $5.4 million federally funded research project at UNMC.

The project’s purpose is to determine if the N95 respirator can filter out or kill many of the infectious disease particles people would otherwise inhale, in order to stop the spread of infectious agents such as avian influenza.

In addition to this work on respirators currently in use, the project also may investigate new respirators. U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson played a key role in securing funding for the project.

Leading the project at UNMC is Steven Hinrichs, M.D., professor and director of the UNMC Center for Biosecurity and professor and chairman of pathology and microbiology at UNMC.

3M’s N95 surgical respirator, which is used currently at UNMC, will be the base model that researchers will use while designing the new respirator. 3M is an international leader in microfiber technology.