TNPRC Regional Biocontainment Laboratory Upgrade for Capacity Building

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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.