The University of Maine will begin construction in spring of 2011 on a biocontainment aquaculture research lab in Orono. FISHlab will provide advanced research laboratories for the study of pathogens and the development of vaccines for fish, frogs, lobsters, and sea urchins. The $600,000 facility will support collaboration with industry partners and is expected to reach completion in spring of 2012.
The Federal Experts Security Advisory Panel presented their biosafety recommendations to officials in the U.S. Cabinet in November of 2010. The findings will be released to the public at the same time as a biennial review of the policies that govern the Select Agent Program. The recommendations will offer strategies to improve security at facilities that use potentially dangerous pathogens in research. The assessment is expected to conclude in late 2011.
The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have embarked on an initiative to develop a national standard entitled “Testing and Performance Verification Methodologies for Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) Laboratories,” known as ANSI/AIHA Z9.14.
Pennsylvania State University will begin construction in 2011 on the $23 million Biological Research Laboratory in University Park. Supporting research on immunology and infectious diseases, the 20,000-gsf ABSL-3 facility will include microbiology and virology labs, animal biocontainment suites, and an insectary. LEED sustainable design certification will be sought for the project. Completion is expected in summer 2012. The project is supported by $14.8 million in federal stimulus funding.
The University of Wyoming dedicated its $24.9 million BSL-3 laboratory in Laramie in November of 2010. Housing research and testing facilities for the study of select agents and pathogens, the lab will provide rapid diagnosis of diseases affecting wildlife, herd animals, and humans. The facility is located at the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and comprises a 20,000-sf addition housing a 1,280-sf BSL-3 suite, a 2,600-sf BSL-2 suite, and support.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is planning to construct a $42.8 million meat science research facility. Supporting instruction and research for the Department of Animal Sciences, the project will foster collaboration with industry partners including meat companies and food safety agencies. The facility will feature a BSL-2 isolatable pilot plant for the study of meat pathogens and the development of intervention strategies. Occupancy is expected in 2017.
The Health Protection Agency opened the £12 million Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) and UK Stem Cell Bank in October of 2010. Located in Potters Bar in the United Kingdom, the facility will provide vaccine research and development laboratories for the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control as well as a stem cell repository. The project will support pandemic response and was developed in partnership with the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council.
SAFC completed a 50,000-sf expansion of its Jerusalem bioprocessing facility in October of 2010. The project houses cGMP fermentation suites for the production of recombinant proteins and small molecules. The expansion includes a 30,000-sf BSL-2 facility.
The University of Guelph opened the $62 million Pathobiology and Animal Health Laboratory in October of 2010. The four-story, 126,000-sf facility houses teaching and research labs, seminar rooms, offices, and a 120-seat lecture hall. The facility will support research on zoonotic diseases and pathogens and includes a post-mortem diagnostic suite.
The University of Louisville dedicated the $44 million Center for Predictive Medicine in October of 2010. Located on the ShelbyHurst research park in East Louisville, the 50,000-sf project is an NIH-funded Regional Biodefense Laboratory and houses BSL-3 facilities for the study of emerging infectious diseases. The facility was built by Messer of Cincinnati with International Commissioning Engineers as commissioning agent. Ground was broken on the facility in 2006.
Cornell University opened the $70 million New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center in Ithaca in October of 2010. The three-story, 126,000-gsf facility houses seven BSL-3 labs, BSL-2 labs, a necropsy facility able to accommodate large animals, and diagnostic suites. The center consolidates operations previously dispersed in 12 locations and can accommodate over 200 researchers.
The $44 Million Maryland Forensic Medical Center opened in Baltimore in September of 2010. Located in the University of Maryland’s BioPark development, the advanced forensic science facility will house the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Designed by Gaudreau, the 120,000-sf, six-story building includes a BSL-3 containment suite, autopsy labs, offices, and conference rooms. Construction began on the facility in summer of 2008.
The University of York opened the £5 million Centre for Immunology and Infection (CII) in the United Kingdom in September of 2010. The three-story, 1,350-sm facility houses biocontainment suites for the study of high risk pathogens and space for clinical trials. The translational research facility was created in partnership by Hull York Medical School and the Department of Biology at the University of York. The general contractor for the project was GB Building Solutions. Construction began on the facility in July of 2009.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is expanding its manufacturing capabilities in Shanghai, China, to include the 1300 Series A2 biological safety cabinets. Designed to meet the needs of the Chinese market, this local manufacturing will ensure rapid availability of Thermo Scientific biological safety cabinets to regional laboratories. Designed for superior safety, comfort, and energy efficiency, the 1300 Series A2 biological safety cabinet uses DC motor technology to reduce operating costs as much as 75 percent compared to traditional biological safety cabinets.
AALAS has created a free comparison table for the 1996 vs. the 2010 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The guide is available online as a download from AALAS. These changes will be explored in detail at a Tradeline pre-conference workshop on November 7, 2010.
