The Pathogen Resource Core and Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) Facility supports research of pathogens that require specialized handling and enhanced containment. These pathogens may cause serious, potentially lethal disease that can alter long-term quality of life.
We support in vivo and in vitro work for most BSL-3 pathogens. Parties interested in conducting their research in the facility should contact the Facility Director, Dr. Shannon Ronca (ronca@bcm.edu) and Assistant Director Dr. Alexander Kneubehl (kneubehl@bcm.edu). Together, we can discuss training requirements for new users and facility usage fees. Alternatively, you can leverage our core facility’s cutting-edge expertise and instrumentation as a fee-for-service, available to both internal and external groups.
Training
Our training program encompasses important facility information, as well as foundational biological safety information from and standards set by the American Biological Safety Association, the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Manual (5th Edition), and national organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health. Trainees will gain an in-depth understanding of the principles of biosafety, apply these principles to best laboratory practices, and become comfortable with the safe execution of research in a BSL-3. Our training program prioritizes individuals using this core facility, but is available on a case-by-case basis to external institutions
