Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: This moment in human history is precisely why the biocontainment facilities in the Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) at the University of Pittsburgh exist and why the integral Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) should be staffed with creative, funded infection biologists.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the vital need to maintain such response-ready biocontainment facilities that support a diversity of researchers who can collectively pivot to address emerging infectious disease and biodefense threats of global importance. Infectious diseases have, do and will continue to emerge from animal reservoirs.

In responding so effectively to work on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) 2 in 2020 the Pittsburgh RBL community simply and effectively fulfilled its mandated role.

Establishment of a network of RBL and national biocontainment laboratories (NBLs) demonstrated prescience on the part of NIAID and the United States Government.

The RBL at Pittsburgh has been used for nearly fifteen years and key core systems are coming to the end of their operational lifespan.

This application seeks to upgrade i) fixed equipment, ii) non-fixed cutting-edge scientific equipment and iii) non-fixed support equipment in the RBL that are critically important to this essential facility for infection biologists across the university. A complete upgrade of building automation system (BAS) and autoclave capabilities is necessary.

Cutting-edge scientific equipment will replace obsolete machines and upgrade our highly successful aerobiology unit.

Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) and other important non-fixed support equipment to decontaminate the facility will be replaced. A detailed plan for phased renovations has been developed.

This will be overseen by the PI and Project Manager who will work closely with external contractor, vendors and other internal groups to ensure that the scientific enterprise is not adversely impacted.

Since the facility is considered essential research infrastructure the School of Medicine has committed to provide additional resources to ensure that all the necessary systems can be upgraded rather than just a partial renovation.

The ultimate goal is to ensure the RBL remains fit-for-purpose and emerging infectious disease response-ready for another fifteen years.