Member Highlights

The Research Alliance for Veterinary Science and Biodefense BSL-3 Network (RAV3N) hosted a BSL-3 Necropsy Workshop at the USDA National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, Iowa from April 29-May 2, 2024. The workshop brought together 22 RAV3N members working in high containment facilities to learn best practices for necropsy in ABSL-3Ag containment and discuss challenges and lessons learned from different facilities across the network. The workshop focused on performing necropsies in the biocontainment environment for a variety of livestock species used in infectious disease research, such as small ruminants, swine and poultry. The 2.5-day workshop consisted of didactic lectures, followed by hands-on activities. The participants also had the opportunity to practice entry and exit in a mock laboratory to practice biosafety procedures that would be required for working under BSL-3 conditions. Some of the topics discussed during this workshop were technical specifications for entry/exit in ABSL-3Ag, personal protective equipment (PPE) considerations, sharps handling and equipment, species-specific necropsy procedures, handling and processing of post-mortem samples, waste management, carcass disposal, and disinfection. The participants found the workshop to be highly valuable in that it taught new skills and techniques that they will bring back to their respective institutions. It was great to see our network members at this productive workshop sponsored by USDA.

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.