A new biodefense research facility was opened on the campus of George Mason University in Virginia. Some 50 scientists and researchers employed there will study infectious diseases and be part of a national effort to fight bioterrorism.
The George Mason facility will be one of 13 planned U.S. biodefense facilities to receive grant funding from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
According to Charles Bailey, the lab’s director, "This is groundbreaking work we will be doing, we feel certain that our BRL-based research will lead to medical breakthroughs that will ultimately help protect the nation from bioterrorism and outbreaks of infectious disease."
The lab will be highly secure and only those who pass a federal background check will have access to secure areas. In addition, due to the nature of the biodefense work to be conducted at the facility, the site was built with an advanced air-filtration system as well as explosion-proof walls and windows, and an electronic surveillance system, all put in place to make the likelihood of pathogens escaping from the site very low.
The types of pathogens to be studied at the new facility include plague, anthrax, influenza and Rift Valley fever.
The new lab will join the National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases on the George Mason campus.
http://www.examiner.com/x-7707-Infectious-Disease-Examiner~y2010m6d23-George-Mason-University-opens-Biodefense-lab
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