HVAC Improvements to Expand Research Capabilities at Colorado State University

项目摘要。本提案要求提供资金，用于购置一台最新的空气处理机组 尺寸约为13，500 cfm，以保持适当的温度和气压差 湿度，楼宇自动化系统和排气扇取代了一个>25岁的单位， 不再适用于科罗拉多州立大学的病理学动物园。病理 viviarium目前容纳CSU的特定病原体免费（SPF）猫群和适度数量 用于朊病毒研究的鼠笼。这次升级让我们有机会 扩大我们现有动物设施的饲养能力和动物手术空间。 具体而言，朊病毒研究中心（PRC）的动物模型核心将被整合到 病理学饲养室沿着SPF猫群。中国目前有动物被关押在 这两个主要的动物收容所，画家中心，和病理学动物园。来 在过去的三年里，中国的动物普查增加了4倍。这种快速增长， 限制了画家中心的容纳能力然而，我们一直不愿意 由于机械问题，将动物重新安置到病理学动物饲养室的可用空间 目前的空气处理装置。在过去的两年里， CSU设施管理，以解决诸如无法保持适当的 温度，无法保持适当的气流，以及无法保持适当的 SPF猫群生物安全的压力差和朊病毒研究的生物隔离; 机械评估发现了许多问题。升级空气处理机组 稳定的环境控制，以适当圈养额外的动物。巩固PRC 病理学动物园的动物模型核心将增加一倍以上， 操纵空间。此外，它还将腾出画家中心的空间， 重新利用目前只有两间手术室在生物隔离区之外 调查员使用。通过将朊病毒使用者转移到病理学动物园， 额外的三个手术室，以及创建额外的动物饲养空间， 新的教师招聘。这一提议将使所有53名主要调查员受益 来自12个学术部门，目前有超过1.54亿美元的校外资助支持，包括 来自中国的五名教员（目前总资金为1650万美元）。因为 大学的重点是传染病，癌症和其他生物医学研究计划，这 该项目将加强一系列有利于动物和人类健康的研究。 与支持开发和维护最新技术水平的良好记录相一致 动物设施，研究副总裁，兽医学院院长 医学和生物医学科学，微生物学，免疫学系主任 和病理学都热烈支持这个提议一个现代化的空气处理机组还将 提供大量的能量节省。施工管理将考虑 由LEED认证的设施专业项目经理指导的可持续概念。

Project Abstract. This proposal requests funds to acquire an updated air handling unit (AHU) sized approximately 13,500 cfm to maintain proper temperature and air pressure differentials with humidity, building automation system, and exhaust fans replacing a >25 year old unit that is no longer serviceable for the Pathology vivarium at Colorado State University. The Pathology viviarium currently houses CSU's specific pathogen free (SPF) cat colony and a modest number of mouse cages used in prion research. This upgrade provides us the opportunity to vastly expand our housing capabilities and animal procedure space within our existing animal facilities. Specifically, the animal model core of the Prion Research Center (PRC) will be consolidated into the Pathology vivarium along with the SPF cat colony. The PRC currently has animals held in both the main animal holding facility, the Painter Center, and the Pathology vivarium. Over the past three years, the PRC has seen a 4-fold increase in animal census. This rapid growth has put constraints on the Painter Center holding capabilities. However, we have been reluctant to relocate animals to the available space in the Pathology vivarium due to mechanical concerns over the current air handling unit. There have been over 40 service calls the past two years to CSU Facilities Management to address concerns such as inability to maintain the appropriate temperature, inability to maintain appropriate airflow, and inability to maintain appropriate pressure differentials for biosecurity of the SPF cat colony and biocontainment for prion studies; and a mechanical assessment identified numerous concerns. Upgrading the AHU would provide stable environmental controls to appropriately house additional animals. Consolidating the PRC animal model core to the Pathology vivarium will more than double their existing housing and manipulation space. Furthermore, it will vacate space in the Painter Center which could be repurposed. There are currently only two procedure rooms outside of biocontainment for investigator use. By moving the prion users to the Pathology vivarium we can dedicate an additional three rooms to procedure space, as well as create additional animal holding space for current, new faculty recruits. This proposal will benefit all of the 53 principal investigators from12 academic departments with over $154M in current extramural grant support, including five faculty members from the PRC ($16.5M in current total funding). Because of the University's focus on infectious disease, cancer, and other biomedical research initiatives, this project will enhance a large portfolio of studies conducted to benefit animal and human health. Consistent with a strong record of support for development and maintenance of state of the art animal facilities, the Vice President for Research, the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology have all enthusiastically supported this proposal. A modern AHU will also provide substantial energy savings. Construction will be managed with consideration for sustainable concepts directed by a LEED Accredited Facilities Professional Project Manager.