Resources and Workforce Development for Research on NIH/NIAID High Priority Pathogens at the University of Missouri Regional Biocontainment Laboratory

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Overall Project Summary Resources and Workforce Development for Research on NIH/NIAID High Priority Pathogens at the University of Missouri Regional Biocontainment Laboratory The University of Missouri Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) was commissioned in 2009 as an $18M, 12,377 NSF BSL-3/ABSL-3 facility. During its thirteen years of operation, the RBL, since named the MU Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research (LIDR) has been a centerpiece of the broader infectious disease research community at the University of Missouri, receiving strong institutional commitment in the recruitment and sustainment of world-class faculty for management of the RBL/LIDR and for conducting research on high priority pathogens. The LIDR operates shared research resources, including state-of-the-art equipment and professional services in microbiology, aerobiology, immunology, and animal model core facilities that serve the needs of researchers on campus and in the broader regional and national communities. The faculty and professional staff of the LIDR are part of the NIH/NIAID RBL-NBL network, with collaborative interactions that facilitate sharing of best practices and knowledge, providing synergy in achieving our collective biodefense and emerging infectious disease research agenda. During the COVID pandemic, the MU LIDR, along with its RBL and NBL partners, led the response to the pandemic and are committed to strengthening pandemic preparedness of the nation, by providing BSL-3/ABSL-3 training, professional staff, and research services that allow for rapid responses in all areas, including development of animal models and the evaluation of numerous treatments, disinfectants, and vaccine platforms to combat the pandemic. The long-term goal of the present application is to sustain a leading effort for development of novel medical countermeasures for combating the ever present and changing threats of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, while training an outstanding cadre of next generation scientists and professionals in biocontainment. The goals of the proposed cores in Facility Management, Maintenance and Operations, BSL3 Practices, and Biocontainment Research Support Services are to educate and train the next generation of scientists and biocontainment professionals in biodefense and emerging infectious diseases, and to facilitate and enhance the development of novel approaches for prevention and treatment of infections caused by high consequence pathogens whose natural or deliberate transmission pose a threat to public health and national security. Towards these goals, the proposed Cores will work within the broader infectious disease community at MU and the NIH/NIAID RBL-NBL network for enhancement of research productivity and discovery, and continued sharing of information and best practices in order to meet the changing priorities and needs of NIH/NIAID for biodefense and emerging infectious diseases.