UC7AI180314

Resources and Workforce Development for the Tulane Regional Biocontainment Laboratory - The Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC) is one of seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) dedicated to conducting nonhuman primate (NHP) research with the goal of improving human health.

With a primary focus on infectious disease and biodefense research, the TNPRC is the only NPRC with a Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) at Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) for the study of high-consequence pathogens, including select agents and toxins.

The Tulane University RBL, which came online in June 2010, has been critical for advancing research at the TNPRC and across the region on biodefense agents and emerging infectious diseases, with a primary focus on in vivo studies using NHPs.

Since its inception, significant infrastructure projects have been completed to capitalize on the presence of the RBL and grow and diversify research at the TNPRC.

In recent years, and particularly with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the TNPRC RBL has expanded its capabilities and capacity to accommodate BSL-3-level emerging pathogen and biodefense research.

The overarching goal of the proposed project is to strategically enhance and fortify BSL-3 research capabilities within the TNPRC RBL to ensure the long-term success of this program in support of infectious disease and biodefense research and countermeasure development.

This will be accomplished through the following specific aims:

(1) Ensure agility of the TNPRC RBL response to emerging public health concerns and threats by leveraging the robust research infrastructure and unique research strengths of the TNPRC and implementing exceptional preventative maintenance processes that allow for best practices, quality control, and extensive safety oversight for work with high-consequence pathogens.

(2) Provide formal structure for sharing of best practices for safety, research procedures, and facilities management with partners and other RBLs.

(3) Coordinate practices and procedures across the biodefense facilities network to leverage the strengths of all 12 RBLs; ensure efficient and effective cross-training and sharing of methodologies, SOPs, and best practices; and coordinate and advance infectious disease and biodefense research and countermeasure development nationwide.

The Administrators Of Tulane Educational Fund

TO ASSIST PUBLIC AND PRIVATE NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH, EXPAND AND IMPROVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS, TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS. TO ASSIST PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO CONDUCT DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH, TO PRODUCE AND TEST RESEARCH MATERIALS, TO PROVIDE RESEARCH SERVICES AS REQUIRED BY THE AGENCY FOR PROGRAMS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AND CONTROLLING DISEASE CAUSED BY INFECTIOUS OR PARASITIC AGENTS, ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES AND RELATED AREAS. PROJECTS RANGE FROM STUDIES OF MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANTIGENIC STRUCTURE TO COLLABORATIVE TRIALS OF EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS AND VACCINES, MECHANISMS OF RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS AS WELL AS RESEARCH DEALING WITH EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS OR COMMUNITY POPULATIONS AND PROGRESS IN ALLERGIC AND IMMUNOLOGIC DISEASES. BECAUSE OF THIS DUAL FOCUS, THE PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES BOTH BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM EXPANDS AND IMPROVES PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. THE SBIR PROGRAM INTENDS TO INCREASE AND FACILITATE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM STIMULATES AND FOSTERS SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. RESEARCH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTISTS DURING THE FORMATIVE STAGES OF THEIR CAREERS. INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS (NRSAS) ARE MADE DIRECTLY TO APPROVE APPLICANTS FOR RESEARCH TRAINING IN SPECIFIED BIOMEDICAL SHORTAGE AREAS. IN ADDITION, INSTITUTIONAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS ARE MADE TO ENABLE INSTITUTIONS TO SELECT AND MAKE AWARDS TO INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE TRAINING UNDER THE AEGIS OF THEIR INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAM.

93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Covington, Louisiana 704338915 United States

Single Zip Code

Limited Competition: Resources and Workforce Development for the Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (UC7 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (RFA-AI-22-075)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 198% from $2,878,190 to $8,563,278.