Member Highlights

Validating the inactivation of viral pathogens with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 to safely transfer samples from high-containment laboratories

Volume 14, March 2024

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2024.1292467

Research Alliance for Veterinary Science and Biodefense BSL-3 Network (RAV3N): Report on network origin and phase I activities

Volume 217, September 2023

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2023.105693

The RAV3N Network held its second annual meeting on August 8-10, 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas. Over 60 members representing 16 biocontainment facilities across the U.S. and Canada gathered to share current research efforts, exchange technical knowledge, and discuss collaborative approaches to improving bio-surveillance, diagnostics, and countermeasure development against high-consequence pathogens of veterinary importance. It was great to see so many of our members in person at this very productive meeting!

RAV3N (Research Alliance for Veterinary Science and Biodefense BSL-3 Network) hosted 22 high-school students at Texas A&M Global Health Research Complex (GHRC) on July 12, 2023 for a pilot outreach event entitled “Introduction to Biocontainment Research”. These students were attending a summer camp held by the Texas A&M Veterinary Science Certificate Program. In addition to learning about biocontainment research and career opportunities in this field and a tour of the facility, students engaged in hands-on activities in the training lab including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donning and doffing, entry/exit procedures for BSL-3 laboratories, and testing out their pipetting skills at the lab bench.  The students had a great time learning about biocontainment research and several expressed interest in pursuing this career option.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has completed the construction and commissioning of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. NBAF is the first U.S. laboratory with biosafety level-4 containment, capable of housing large livestock animals; and one of only a few facilities in the world with these capabilities. With contract administration support from DHS’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) managed and completed the project under the $1.25 billion budget for the construction and commissioning effort, which spanned 17 years from initial planning to completion.