NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville's Meharry Medical College will test out a technology developed by the U.S. Army to quickly identify disease-causing pathogens in clinical samples.

Representatives from both institutions signed a cooperative research and development agreement at a Thursday ceremony in Nashville.

According to a joint news release, the agreement between the school and the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command lasts five years.

College president James Hildreth said in a news release, "Through this agreement, Meharry scientists will now have the opportunity to work alongside the best research minds in the armed services to pursue crucial breakthroughs."

The first project will test new technology to quickly separate disease-causing pathogens from other harmless microbes with an algorithm. It will also identify the pathogens. The project is expected to last two years.