Galveston National Laboratory

Galveston National Laboratory

Established	November 2008
Research type	BSL-4 Biocontainment Laboratory
Field of research	Infectious diseases Emerging pathogens Bioterrorism agents
Director	James W. LeDuc, Laboratory Director Scott C. Weaver, Scientific Director [1]
Staff	300
Location	Galveston, Texas, USA [ ⚑ ] : 29°18′38″N 94°46′43″W / 29.3106°N 94.7786°W / 29.3106; -94.7786
Campus	University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Nickname	GNL
Affiliations	National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health
Operating agency	University of Texas Medical Branch with support from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institutes of Health
Website	www.utmb.edu/gnl

The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) in Galveston, Texas , United States, is a high security National Biocontainment Laboratory housing several Biosafety level 4 research laboratories, run by the University of Texas Medical Branch for exotic disease diagnosis and research.^[2] The GNL is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.^[3][4]

History

In the early 2000s (decade), the United States experienced several events which led to its government pushing for the creation of more facilities to provide research to help defend against bioterrorism attacks. Under the direction of the U.S. Congress, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) began a nationwide search for a location to build a National Biocontainment Laboratory. In 2003, UTMB was chosen by the NIH as the site for one of two such national laboratories, and a $174 million federal grant was issued to pay for its construction. The Galveston National Laboratory is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.^[3][4][5]

Statistics

Galveston National Laboratory is an eight-story structure that was built using construction standards designed to resist a Category 5 hurricane. In addition to structural design elements, other protective measures included support pilings reaching a depth of 120 feet (37 m) into the earth and the placement of all lab facilities at a height of at least 30 feet (9.1 m) above the 100-year floodplain.^[4] The building houses more than 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m²) of laboratory space, of which 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m²) is dedicated to BSL-4 use. Other labs located in the building include BSL-3 facilities which research select & non-select agents in cell cultures, animal and insects.^[4] The laboratory became operational in November 2008 and was dedicated by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.^[6] Attached to and functioning as a part of the GNL is the older Keiller Building, which houses additional BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, including an insect BSL-3 lab. Also attached is the Shope BSL-4 lab, a smaller BSL-4 facility built in 2005.

Notes and references

External links

• Official Site
• Galveston National Laboratory Fact Sheet

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