Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research

概述 匹兹堡大学自1998年以来一直是NIH资助的前十名。目前 它在获得的奖项数量上排名全国第五，2020财年总计5.7亿美元。的学校 医学和公共卫生部门获得了其中的很大一部分。大学有一个坚定的承诺， 将科学知识和成就转化为社会效益。疫苗研究是 匹兹堡市和大学有着悠久的传染病研究历史。一种正在蔓延的传染病 生物社区在生物安全水平（BSL）-2，2+和3级工作，涉及各种人类和动物 病原体特定物剂和毒素司（DSAT）计划已运作10多年 我们的研究人员致力于广泛的高度管制，病毒和细菌选择剂。中心 疫苗研究（CVR）调查人员对BSL-3 A、B和C类优先病原体进行研究， 对全世界人民的健康都有影响。 CVR内的区域生物防护实验室（RBL）是密歇根大学的感染生物学中心。 匹兹堡该中心于2007年开放，汇集了来自不同学科的感染生物学家和临床医生 他们的共同目标是调查新出现的传染病的演变和发病机制， 生物防御病原体它加速了新型干预措施的临床前开发， 作为疫苗、治疗性抗体和纳米抗体、小分子抑制剂和病毒诊断剂， 其他传染病。就在两年前，这所大学投资聘请了一位关键的领导人， 博士Paul Duprex担任CVR和RBL总监。医学院为他提供了一个慷慨的招聘 包和启动资源，招募至少四个新的教师CVR。此外，他们重申， 承诺在资本设备方面支持RBL。他的愿景是整合，监督和扩大正在进行的 程序.匹兹堡大学和邻近大学的研究人员可以利用这一资源。 机构有助于赠款申请的成功率，增加了高影响力的数量 研究论文被接受出版，并为培训生、教职员工和研究人员的招聘提供便利。这是一 这是宾夕法尼亚州及其他地区转化研究生态系统的基本要素。 具体目标 目标1：更新RBL固定设备。匹兹堡RBL在13年前开业， 基础设施老化。尽管有重大的内部承诺，大学资本支出 设备资金以及CVR成功获得宾夕法尼亚州的外部支持 经济发展社区部（DCED）需要进行重大升级， 系统.具体而言，需要更新楼宇自动化系统（BAS）和三个高压灭菌器 或者被取代毫无疑问，固定设备是该应用的最大成本要素。 目标2：更新RBL非固定尖端科学设备。多模态生物成像能力是 作为CVR的一部分，他们在四维空间中研究受感染的细胞、组织和动物。我们已经投资 在活细胞共聚焦显微镜、IVIS成像和PET/CT能力方面具有显著的优势。然而，目前， 流式细胞术/细胞分选能力基本上是过时的。如果免疫学研究 保持竞争力，他们将需要通过购买领先的工具来支撑 专为生物防护中的气溶胶而设计。第二个科学力量是在 空气生物学和大规模雾化病原体和治疗剂的新能力将得到加强 CVR这一重要组成部分的一般能力。 目标3：更新RBL非固定支助设备。将更换障碍物支持设备。的 最初的生物安全柜（BSC）处于其可用寿命的末期并且正在失效。以最小化 中断目前的业务，BSC将在我们定期的年度关闭期间更换， 再验证过程。汽化过氧化氢（VHP）是房间净化的标准， 所使用的设备经常发生故障，需要更换。我们的内部设施办公室 管理层将监督所有外部承包商。 我们的最终目标是确保RBL仍然适用于目的和新出现的传染病反应准备 再等15年该设施被匹兹堡大学认为是必不可少的研究基础设施。

Overview The University of Pittsburgh has been ranked among the top ten recipients of NIH funding since 1998. Currently it is ranked fifth nationally in the number of awards received, totaling $570 million in FY2020. The Schools of Medicine and Public Health obtained a significant proportion of this. The University has a strong commitment to translate scientific knowledge and achievement into societal benefit. Vaccine Research is synonymous with the city of Pittsburgh and the university has a long history with infectious disease research. A thriving infection biology community works at biosafety levels (BSL)-2, 2+ and 3 with a diverse range of human and animal pathogens. The Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT) program has been operational for over 10 years and our researchers work on a wide range of highly regulated, viral and bacterial select agents. The Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) investigators conduct research on BSL-3 Category A, B, and C priority pathogens that have an impact on the health of people around the world. The Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) within the CVR is a hub for infection biology at the University of Pittsburgh. Opened in 2007 the center brings together infection biologists and clinicians from varied disciplines who have a common goal of investigating the evolution and pathogenesis of emerging infectious diseases and biodefense pathogens. It has enabled the acceleration of pre-clinical development of novel interventions such as vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and nanobodies, small molecule inhibitors and diagnostics for viruses and other infectious agents. Just over two years ago the university invested in a key leadership hire and appointed Dr. Paul Duprex as CVR and RBL Director. The School of Medicine provided him a generous recruitment package and startup resources to recruit at least four new faculty to CVR. In addition they reaffirmed their commitment to support the RBL in capital equipment. His vision is to integrate, oversee and expand the ongoing programs. The availability of this resource to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and neighboring institutions has contributed to the success rate of grant applications, increased the number of high-impact research papers accepted for publication and facilitated trainee, faculty and research staff recruitment. It is an essential element to the translational research ecosystem in Pennsylvania and beyond. Specific Aims Aim 1: Upgrade RBL fixed equipment. The Pittsburgh RBL opened over 13 years ago and the fixed infrastructure is aging. In spite of significant internal commitments, expenditure of University capital equipment funds alongside CVR’s success in securing external support from the State of Pennsylvania Department of Community of Economic Development (DCED) significant upgrades are required to core systems. Specifically, the Building Automation System (BAS) and three autoclaves need to be updated or replaced. Unsurprisingly fixed equipment represents the largest cost elements of this application. Aim 2: Upgrade RBL non-fixed cutting-edge scientific equipment. Multimodal bioimaging capabilities are integral as CVR faculty study infected cells, tissues and animals in four-dimensions. We have invested significantly in live cell confocal microscopy, IVIS imaging and PET/CT capabilities. However, presently, the flow cytometric/cell sorting capabilities are essentially obsolete. If immunological studies are to remain competitive they will need to be underpinned by the purchase of a leading-edge instrument specifically designed for work with aerosols in biocontainment. A second scientific strength is in aerobiology and new capabilities for large-scale nebulization of pathogens and therapeutics will enhance the general capabilities of this essential component of CVR. Aim 3: Upgrade RBL non-fixed support equipment. Obsolete support equipment will be replaced. The original biosafety cabinets (BSCs) are at the end of their usable lifespan and are failing. To minimize disruption to current operations, the BSCs will be replaced during our regular annual shutdown and reverification process. Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) is standard for room decontamination and the equipment used is breaking down frequently and will be replaced. Our internal Office of Facilities Management will oversee all external contractors. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the RBL remains fit-for-purpose and emerging infectious disease response-ready for another 15 years. The facility is considered essential research infrastructure by the University of Pittsburgh.