Industry News

Charles Sturt University opened the $8.2 million Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in Wagga Wagga in February of 2010. Providing space for animal disease detection and post-mortem examinations of livestock, the secure facility features a PC3 (physical containment level three) laboratory for infectious disease research on select agents such as anthrax, Q-fever, and psittacosis.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research broke ground in February of 2010 the $179 million Smart State Medical Research Centre in Brisbane. Housing 20 new research laboratories for the study of emerging infectious diseases, genetics, cancer, mental illness, and vaccine development, the 13-story facility will accommodate 400 scientists and students. Completion is expected in early 2012.

Kansas State University was awarded $12 million in February of 2010 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to support research in zoonotic and animal disease defense. The grant will establish a Center of Excellence to develop vaccines, diagnostic methods, pandemic modeling tools, and educational programs.

The University of Florida celebrated the opening of the $60 million Emerging Pathogens Institute in Gainesville in January of 2010. Providing BSL-2 and BSL-3 research laboratories, the 80,000-sf building supports research on select agents and pathogens that affect human, animal, and plant populations. Housing 150 researchers, the 108,000-sf facility provides 28 labs, three BSL-3 greenhouses, offices, and support.  Ground was broken on the project in February of 2008. LEED Silver certification will be sought for the project.

The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism released an evaluation of the United States’ biosecurity measures in January of 2010. The report asserts that the nation is ill-prepared for a biological attack and recommends a restructuring of biothreat response protocols and oversight. For more information, read the report card (PDF).