Cores and Facilities
GLRCE Cores and Facilities
Animal Research and Immunology Core
The CDC Category A agents (anthrax, plague, botulism, smallpox, tularemia and viral hemorrhagic fever) studied by scientists in the GLRCE require special procedures for safe handling. Conducting the experiments essential to the development of novel therapeutics, vaccines and diagnostic devices relating to biodefense requires a special facility and specially trained personnel. The Animal Research Component provides an animal facility with appropriate housing, animal care and containment and security measures for this research. The animal care and use program at the University of Chicago is AAALAC International accredited. Please visit the Animal Research and Immunology Core website for more information
Biosafety Core
The Biosafety Core seeks to increase awareness of biological hazards encountered in biodefense and emerging disease research laboratories, to provide a scientific basis for assessing risks associated with this research, to provide guidance on recommended practices and to promote the development of required skills to work safely with human pathogens. The object of safety awareness and practice is to assure laboratory and support personnel that—with proper precautions, equipment and facilities—biohazardous materials can be handled without undue risk to themselves, their associates, their families, and the environment.
The Biosafety Core has established a career development program for a biosafety professional, a “train-the-trainer” program, that is designed to meet the growing need for individuals capable of leading biosafety programs in government, industry, and academics.
For more detail please visit the Biosafety pages.
Trans-RCE Cores and Facilities
National Screening Laboratory for the RCEs (NSRB)
The National Screening Laboratory for the RCEs, located at Harvard University, supports research directed towards the identification of small molecules that enhance our understanding of the basic biology of pathogens relevant to biodefense or emerging infectious disease, and development of new therapeutic agents against these NIAID Priority Pathogens. The NSRB provides access to small molecule collections and assistance in conducting and interpreting high-throughput screens for all investigators conducting research relevant to these aims. The NSRB also has medicinal chemistry capability to advance promising screening hits toward pharmaceutical development.
NSRB made available multiple Pipeline Pilot-based protocols that will be of use to screeners in analyzing their data. A brief description of these tools and how to access them from remote locations is available at the NSRB website (under General Data Analysis at ( http://nsrb.med.harvard.edu/dataanalysis.html ). These protocols were developed based on questions and requests that received from screeners.
NIAID and NIH have requested more detailed policies and better compliance with respect to sharing of grant-generated data and citation of grant support. Therefore the User agreement and Data Sharing policy have recently been updated.
2009 Data Sharing Policy overview (PDF)
NSRB User Agreement form (PDF) (Word)
