Biocontainment Research support services core

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BIOCONTAINMENT RESEACRCH SERVICES: ABSTRACT Each of the twelve NIAID funded Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) have distinguishing and complementary research capabilities to advance infectious disease and biodefense research. George Mason University’s (GMU)’s RBL, also known as the Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL) has focused on the integration and development of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) models in containment to bridge in vitro and animal model testing for therapeutics and vaccine product screening and evaluation. Furthermore, GMU has a comprehensive suite of advanced research instrumentation to support BSL-3 pathogen and select agent aerosol exposures in small animals as well as organ, tissue, and molecular level analysis of challenge studies. These capabilities in containment are complemented by GMU’s expertise in proteomics, metabolomics, and nanotechnology as well as a track record of developing platform technologies that have transitioned from the bench to market. The proposed Biocontainment Research Support Services Core at GMU will include 1) a Microphysiological systems (MPS) core and 2) an Advanced Animal Research (AAR) core. The MPS platforms will represent at least nine different organ systems with representation by relevant human-derived cell types for at least twelve priority viral and bacterial pathogens. Accompanying assays including the limit of detection for pathogen quantification, inflammatory burden, and organ damage in the context of infection will be developed for each model. Additional high throughput organ-on-a-chip (OOC) and organoid platforms integrated in the core will provide added functionality, validation of results through multiple platforms, and accelerated discovery. The AAR core will integrate a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art technologies and infectious disease expertise to accelerate countermeasure development through cutting-edge approaches for lead optimization, dosing, toxicity screens, safety assessment, efficacy, immune modulation, and biodistribution. The cores will be staffed with research scientists in the BRL to support internal investigators and serve as a resource for the RBL network and partners from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies; federal, state, and local agencies; and academic institutions conducting infectious disease and biodefense research and countermeasure development.