By Michelle Hall
The Biosecurity Research Institute, currently under construction on the
Kansas State University campus, is a comprehensive biosafety level 3
facility that will provide scientists a secure location in which to
study pathogens and pests that threaten animal and plant-based
agricultural systems, and to develop intervention strategies to minimize
impacts on the nation's food supply and economy.
"The pace of globalization has increased dramatically over the last few
decades and projections are that the trends will continue," said Jim
Stack, institute director, pictured at left. "People and goods move over
greater distances in shorter periods of time than ever before. With
these people and goods move pathogens and insect pests. As a result,
populations of hosts -- humans, for example -- pathogens and vectors are
mixing at greater frequencies resulting in the emergence of new diseases
and the geographic redistribution of recurring diseases. The pace of the
world has quickened; disease detection, diagnosis and response must keep
pace.
"These threats encompass emerging and recurring diseases of animals and
plants, some of which also have the capacity to cause disease in humans
and natural ecosystems, respectively. The economic and human impact of
these diseases can be devastating. It is important that scientists have
the ability to work with these organisms before a disease outbreak so
preventive and treatment measures can be developed and deeper
understanding of the biological threats attained," he said.
The Biosecurity Research Institute will be unique among biocontainment
research facilities in several important ways, Stack said. Researchers
will be able to evaluate actual processing conditions and determine if
there are safer methods -- researchers will be able to look at the plant
or animal all the way to the product. The institute will be one of only
a few labs in the world with such capabilities.
"Food production and distribution systems are often referred to as
farm-to-fork systems; these systems are complex and integrated," he
said. "BRI will be the only containment research and training facility
within the U.S. that integrates plant pathology, food safety,
entomology, veterinary medicine and molecular biology, allowing for
comprehensive research programs concerning high-consequence pathogens
and pests that threaten our food production systems."
In addition, K-State's Biosecurity Research Institute will allow the
development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools to successfully
manage disease outbreaks.
"Effective treatment of diseases usually requires an understanding of
the basic biology of the pathogens that cause disease," Stack said. "BRI
will permit scientists to ask fundamental questions about disease
associated with high-consequence pathogens."
In recent years, threats from intentional use of biological agents have
increased, as evidenced by the anthrax attacks of 2001. Stack said it is
important for law enforcement authorities to be able to determine the
source of introduced agents to identify those responsible in the case of
an attack.
"Microbial forensics is a newly emerging field of science for which the
methods and technology to identify agents of bioterrorism and biocrime
are being developed," Stack said. "It is important to work with the
agents of concern and related microorganisms and toxins to develop
reliable methods. Such research can be accomplished safely and securely
within BRI."
Work at the Biosecurity Research Institute will include the following:
* Infectious diseases, especially diseases that affect or could threaten
the state's livestock industry.
* Research on pathogens that harm the state's food crops.
* Exploring food and meat processing methods to bring safer foods and
meats to consumers.
* General research on mechanisms animals use to ward off infectious
diseases.
* Education and training capabilities in both agricultural and human
health fields on containing a disease outbreak, either from an
unintentional source or from a terrorist.
Research suites will include the following:
* Food processing research suite
* Food crop infectious disease research suite
* Food animal infectious disease research suite
* Basic biology of infectious disease research suite
* Biosecurity education suite for training and sharing information
The range of research possibilities includes avian flu, brucellosis,
soybean rust, salmonella and E. coli. Researchers will study known and
emerging diseases. They will be able to track the paths of pathogens as
they would occur in the outside world.
Biosafety level 3 is applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching,
research or production facilities in which work is done with indigenous
or exotic agents which may cause serious or potentially lethal disease
as a result of exposure by the inhalation route, according to the
National Institutes of Health. However, for some of the agents studied
in biosafety level 3 laboratories at the Biosecurity Research Institute,
vaccines or antidotes are available.
At the Biosecurity Research Institute, several levels of safety and
security are necessary to ensure that the agents of concern remain
within the containment space and that the scientists handling the agents
remain safe, Stack said. Biosafety and biocontainment involve three
necessary components: facilities, the building with its suites and
special air-handling capabilities; equipment and other protective
technologies within the laboratory suites; and procedures, the way
research is done inside the suites.
The building will have special air-handling systems that filter the air,
preventing release of materials from the research space. All waste will
be processed to kill even the hardiest microorganisms. Scientists will
be required to complete education and training programs prior to working
within the facility. They will wear personal protective equipment and
follow research protocols that minimize the potential for exposure,
Stack said.
The training and education area of the building will include classrooms
with capacity for digital interface with the research areas within the
containment space; training can even be broadcast to remote locations.
"This will permit the highest caliber of training experience on the
handling and identification of high-consequence pathogens and pests and
the diagnosis of disease states in animals and plants without exposing
trainees to the actual agents," Stack said. "The latest in digital
instruction technology will be integral to the BRI educational
experience."
K-State's Biosecurity Research Institute will be a campus-wide resource
available to all colleges with a need for such a facility. In addition,
researchers at the institute will collaborate with scientific colleagues
in academe, industry and government. The institute will be a functional
research unit within K-State's National Agricultural Biosecurity Center,
which coordinates interdisciplinary efforts in agricultural safety and
security at the university.
A building such as the Biosecurity Research Institute requires more
space for engineering controls and equipment than a normal laboratory.
The approximately 113,000-square foot facility will house about 31,000
square feet dedicated to laboratories and training areas, and around
10,000 square feet for an administrative area.
Construction of the $54-million facility commenced in fall 2004, and is
expected to be completed in late summer/early fall 2006. A period of
commissioning will follow the building's completion, where all building
systems and features will be rigorously tested to ensure they function
to the specifications required to operate the facility safely, Stack
said. It is anticipated that research within the building will begin in
January 2007.
Facility architect firm for the building is Peckham, Guyton, Albers and
Viet. The firm, with offices across the country, has experience and
expertise in designing facilities similar to the Biosecurity Research
Institute. The architectural team features a variety of specialized
consultants, including biocontainment specialists, security consultants,
meat processing specialists and more. Turner Construction, a worldwide
firm that has participated in the construction of biosecurity facilities
throughout the country, is providing construction manager at-risk
services to the project.
Funds for the facility include revenue bonds, various federal monies,
private cash contributions and gifts-in-kind.
"BRI is one component of an extensive K-State network of research
facilities dedicated to the food production, food safety and food
security systems of Kansas and the nation," Stack said. "BRI programs
will complement the research and education programs in many departments
throughout the university. BRI provides added capability to conduct
research at the leading edge of food safety and security, with global
impact."
Biosecurity Research Institute
http://fss.k-state.edu/facilities/BRI.htm
Stack can be reached at 785-532-1388 or
jstack@k-state.edu