Resources and workforce development for the New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory

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PROJECT SUMMARY - OVERALL The New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory (NERBL) was established in 2008 with the goal of ensuring that research and tasks in response to pathogens of pandemic potential and other emerging infections (PPP/EI) are safely, efficiently, and rigorously accomplished. The NERBL was also designed to serve as a regional resource for academic and industry partners engaged in activities that yield knowledge and medical countermeasures to PPP/EI and ready to serve as directed by NIH/NIAID/federal partners in whatever capacity necessary for pandemic response. A critical element necessary for effective functioning of any biosafety/biocontainment laboratory is the existence of core competencies associated with physical, operational, regulatory and research (vivarium/laboratory) tasks frequently performed in this setting. Individuals working in the context of biocontainment must possess advanced technical skills, have undergone extensive BSL-3/ABSL-3 training, and continuously enhance their knowledge regarding agent specific risk. Additionally, to maintain operational integrity of a biocontainment facility and adequately safeguard the staff, environment, and local community, functional redundancies in these skills and associated responsibilities are an absolute necessity. As such, the primary objective of this application is to expand and maintain a footprint of highly qualified staff within the NERBL that possess a set of core competencies for specific function categories (i.e., vivarium, facilities), while also cross-trained to undertake additional responsibilities should the need arise. Accordingly, we have proposed three Cores within the context of this application to achieve this overarching goal. Core 1 will oversee facility management, maintenance and operations, ensuring integrity and sustainability of the NERBL infrastructure. Core 2 will entail activities that cover BSL3/ABSL3 best practices, including laboratory specific biosafety, biosecurity education, vivarium specific trainings and research competencies. Lastly, Core 3 will serve as the biocontainment research support services core, expanding capacities for bacteriology, virology and vector biology. Core members will undergo rigorous cross-training to create the functional redundancies necessary for ensuring continuity of services. Together, these activities will allow us to fulfill our mission as a resource for Tufts University, academic partners, industry entities, state/federal investigators, as well as for our RBL/NBL Network members. Importantly, following completion of the stated milestones, the NERBL will be well-positioned and sufficiently resourced to rapidly respond to future emerging infectious disease threats.