Developing the VUMC MICRO facility to advance innovative BSL3 research

项目摘要 为了应对全球传染病的增加和传播及其对人类健康的影响，范德比尔特大学医学中心(VUMC)为感染和免疫学研究建立了一个跨机构的战略框架，包括对专注于高毒力病原体的研究进行重大投资。范德比尔特的研究人员正在微生物发病机制、治疗开发和疫苗设计领域迅速推进发现，包括对抗新冠肺炎的关键研究。Vanderbilt在微生物发病机制方面的领先地位日益增强，这使得生物安全级别3(BSL3)的研究对实现突破至关重要。然而，范德比尔特的两个小型BSL3实验室为个人调查人员提供服务，并在满负荷运行。因此，大多数范德比尔特大学的研究人员无法使用BSL3设施。拟议的微生物传染病核心资源(MICRO)将是一个现代化的、全面的BSL3共享研究设施，大大扩大了范德比尔特的BSL3研究能力。与田纳西大学和梅哈里医学院等机构的地区性伙伴关系将推动美国东南部的BSL3工作，以最大限度地提高微观的好处和影响。主要项目目标将通过翻新范德比尔特生物医学研究区中心3587平方英尺(NSF)的空间来实现。MICRO将被灵活配置，以满足对BSL3和精选试剂病原体的严格分离要求，并可以随着研究和公共卫生需求的发展而快速修改。MICRO将包含三个BSL3套房，总共有七个程序室，并将由新的和/或重新布线的机械和管道系统提供服务，这些系统完全隔离了BSL3空间。将建造1,038个NSF BSL3专用空间，以容纳新的机械设备，包括专用空气处理单元和排气过滤系统。该项目的设计将符合LEED银牌标准以及国家卫生研究院和疾病控制和预防中心的指导方针。MICRO将由一位经验丰富的项目经理和BSL3设施经理开发和管理，与范德比尔特感染、免疫和炎症研究所、研究办公室和科学咨询委员会合作，以确保有效的规划、运营和新设施的共享访问。总体而言，所要求的翻修将使BSL3试验的基础设施、容量和能力得到实质性改进。该设施将加强感染和免疫学研究，从而在基础研究、临床护理和公共卫生的结合点上在这些领域取得科学突破。

PROJECT ABSTRACT In response to the global increase and spread of infectious disease and its impact on human health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has established a trans-institutional strategic framework for infection and immunology research, including significant investments in research focused on highly virulent pathogens. Vanderbilt investigators are rapidly advancing discovery in the fields of microbial pathogenesis, therapeutic development, and vaccine design including critical research combatting COVID-19. Vanderbilt’s growing leadership in microbial pathogenesis makes research at biosafety level 3 (BSL3) critical to enabling breakthroughs. However, Vanderbilt’s two small BSL3 laboratories serve individual investigators and operate at capacity. Most Vanderbilt researchers therefore have no access to BSL3 facilities. The proposed Microbial Infectious Disease Core ResOurce (MICRO) will be a modern, comprehensive BSL3 shared research facility that significantly expands capacity for BSL3 research at Vanderbilt. Regional partnerships with institutions such as the University of Tennessee and Meharry Medical College will advance BSL3 work across the southeastern United States to maximize the MICRO’s benefit and impact. Key project goals will be accomplished through the renovation of 3,587 net square feet (NSF) of space in the heart of Vanderbilt’s biomedical research zone. The MICRO will be flexibly configured to meet stringent isolation requirements for BSL3 and Select Agent pathogens and can be rapidly modified as research and public health needs evolve. The MICRO will contain three BSL3 suites with a total of seven procedure rooms and will be served by new and/or rerouted mechanical and plumbing systems that completely isolate the BSL3 space. A 1,038 NSF BSL3-dedicated space will be constructed to enclose new mechanical equipment, including dedicated air handling units and an exhaust filtration system. The project will be designed to meet LEED Silver standards as well as National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The MICRO will be developed and managed by an experienced project manager and BSL3 facility manager working with the Vanderbilt Institute of Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, Office of Research, and Scientific Advisory Board to ensure effective planning, operation, and shared access to the new facility. Overall, the requested renovations will enable substantial improvements in infrastructure, capacity, and capabilities for BSL3 experimentation. This facility will enhance infection and immunology research that will lead to scientific breakthroughs in these fields at the nexus of basic research, clinical care, and public health.