Industry News

West Virginia University was awarded $14.5 million in stimulus funding in March of 2010 to build a biomedical research facility in Morgantown. Located adjacent to the existing Health Sciences Center, the 22,000-sf project will include modern animal housing space and biosafety laboratories.

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.