TNPRC Regional Biocontainment Laboratory Upgrade for Capacity Building

杜兰国家灵长类动物研究中心（TNPRC）是七个NPRC之一， 区域和国家资源进行非人灵长类动物（NHP）研究，目标是 改善人类健康。该委员会的工作重点是传染病，是唯一一个 与生物安全3级（BSL-3）的区域生物防护实验室（RBL）合作，研究高 结果病原体，包括选择剂和毒素，以及生物防御研究。近几 多年来，特别是随着COVID-19大流行的爆发，TNPRC RBL出现了大规模的 新兴病原体和生物防御工作的增长。该设施急需额外的 升级、现代化项目和实验室增强，以支持快速增长的 BSL-3研究的需求，并确保一个强大而有效的遏制系统，这是至关重要的， 保护工人、中心和周围社区。拟议项目的目的 战略性地提高研究能力，在 TNPRC RBL以适应我们不断增长的BSL-3研究组合。为此，我们建议 具体目标如下： 目标1.对TNPRC RBL基础设施进行一系列改进，包括更换 损坏的凤凰阀，恢复迪康坦克的能力，升级不间断电源 供应（UPS）系统，并更新锅炉燃烧器，由于 停止生产替换零件。 目标二。升级设备以扩展BSL-3中的临床评价能力。 目标3.纳入功能设备件，以支持BSL-3研究活动， 扩大RBL的能力，以进行许多研究能力，其中法规是 扩展到能够将它们带入非选择代理空间。 通过开发和应用新型药物，快速有效地应对潜在流行病的能力 诊断检测、治疗和疫苗对于将风险和阴性人群降至最低至关重要 健康成果。TNPRC具有独特的能力，能够快速应对新出现的威胁， 通过产品开发进行检测，因为我们是唯一一家拥有现场BSL-3的NPRC 区域生物防护实验室，独特的质量保证计划，以及 现场核心服务。到2020年2月中旬，我们已经建立了一个COVID-19研究 计划，与疾病控制和预防中心（CDC）允许收购SARS-CoV-2 我们的动物模型开发研究获得了IACUC批准。TNPRC拥有高度的 一组才华横溢的研究人员，他们在生物防护，病毒学， 免疫学、肺病学、疫苗和兽医护理。我们的教师，与联合任命， 杜兰医学院和公共卫生与热带医学学院的各个部门， 参与当地、区域和区域的多种合作规划工作， 在全国范围内，包括一个由杜兰大学资助的多学科新兴/再创新卓越中心， 新出现的传染病（CEERID）和联邦资助中心的申请， 卓越的新兴病原体。我们的合作研究工作的影响的证据是 通过将接近75%的动物资源分配给附属研究者证明， 在最近5年中，向461名NIH资助的合作者分发了近90，000份组织样本 期这一广泛的调查人员网络将依靠拟议的项目， 提高能力 我们的工作和使命的质量，以支持针对安全和快速反应的研究 高致病性病原体。

The Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is one of seven NPRCs that serve as local, regional, and national resources to conduct nonhuman primate (NHP) research with the goal of improving human health. The TNPRC maintains a focus on infectious diseases and is the only NPRC with a Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) at biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) for the study of high consequence pathogens, including select agents and toxins, and biodefense research. In recent years, and particularly with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TNPRC RBL has seen massive growth in emerging pathogen and biodefense work. The facility is in critical need of additional upgrades, modernization projects, and laboratory enhancements, both to support the rapidly growing demand for BSL-3 research and to ensure a robust and efficient containment system that is vital for protecting workers, the Center, and the surrounding community. The purpose of the proposed project is to strategically enhance research capabilities by introducing new equipment space within the TNPRC RBL to accommodate our growing BSL-3 research portfolio. To this end, we propose the following specific aims: Aim 1. Implement a series of improvements to the TNPRC RBL infrastructure, including replacement of damaged phoenix valves, restoration of DeCon Tank capabilities, upgrade of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, and update of the boiler burner which can no longer be repaired due to the discontinued manufacturing of replacement parts. Aim 2. Upgrade equipment to expand clinical evaluation capabilities in the BSL-3. Aim 3. Incorporate functional equipment pieces to support BSL-3 research activities, enabling and expanding the capacity of the RBL to conduct numerous research capabilities where regulations are extensive to be able to take them into non-select agent space. The ability to respond to potential epidemics rapidly and efficiently by developing and applying novel diagnostic assays, therapeutics, and vaccines is critical to minimize risk and negative population health outcomes. The TNPRC is uniquely capable of quickly responding to emerging threats, from detection through product development, due to our status as the only NPRC with an on-site BSL-3 Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, unique Quality Assurance Program, and extensive support of on-site core services. By mid-February 2020, we had already established a COVID-19 research program, with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)-permitted acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 stock and IACUC approval of our animal model development studies. The TNPRC has a highly talented group of investigators with nationally recognized expertise in biocontainment, virology, immunology, pulmonology, vaccines, and veterinary care. Our faculty, with joint appointments in Departments across the Tulane Schools of Medicine and Public Health & Tropical Medicine, are involved in the development of multiple collaborative planning efforts locally, regionally, and nationally, including a Tulane-funded multidisciplinary Center of Excellence for Emerging/Re- emerging Infectious Disease (CEERID) and an application for federal funding of a Center of Excellence for Emerging Pathogens. Evidence of the impact of our collaborative research efforts is demonstrated by the allocation of close to 75% of animal resources to affiliate investigators and distribution of nearly 90,000 tissue samples to 461 NIH-funded collaborators in a recent 5-year period. This broad network of investigators will rely on the proposed project to enhance the capability and quality of our work and mission in support of studies directed toward the safe and rapid response to high consequence pathogens.