Penn State: ABSL-3 Facility Construction

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Penn State proposes to build a new 1,858 m2 (20,000 GSF) animal biosafety level three (ABSL-3) building. This facility is critically needed to support expanding research programs in emerging pathogens, zoonoses, vector borne diseases, the host pathogen interface, and vaccine development. As there is currently no ABSL-3 space on campus, this building will fulfill a significant need for space to safely study highly infectious agents. The building will include microbiology and virology laboratories, cell sorting capabilities, animal biocontainment suites, and an insectary. Nineteen faculty researchers have plans to utilize this new facility. In addition, Penn State is actively recruiting 6-12 new faculty members in the area of infectious disease and pathogen evolution. This building will enhance our recruiting efforts, and allow us to broaden our research efforts in infectious disease. Penn State has long recognized the need for an ABSL-3 facility. Initial plans were developed in 2007, but the project was not initiated (as project estimates were nearly triple the available budget). Penn State is committed to allocating $8 million, and requests $15 million to complete the estimated $23 million project. We have assembled a project team with considerable ABSL-3 experience that will complete our green and sustainable building within budget and on time, creating over 320 American jobs in the process. In addition to the new faculty members above, Penn State is committed to hiring an ABSL-3 facility manager and other staff, as well as providing ongoing budgetary support for the maintenance and operation of the facility.