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Pacific Rim Vaccine Development Center

 

NBL/RBL

 

Purpose

The Pacific Rim Vaccine Development Center combines the unique elements of the OHSU School of Medicines's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, the OHSU Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, and the Oregon National Primate Research Center. Strengthened by state-of-the-art safety and security measures, the center will support vaccine and treatment research on as many as four infectious disease pathogens simultaneously. The facility design reflects several goals:

  • The facility will support research associated with the Pacific Rim Biodefense Center (PRBC). It will also serve as a national resource able to quickly respond in the event of a bioterrorism crisis.
  • The center design will allow for both basic research and clinical vaccine trials involving human volunteers.
  • The center is intended to be a regional resource for use by scientists across the western United States. Use will not be limited to OHSU and the PRBC member institutions.
  • Scientists will be able to rapidly shift research priorities in response to world events or sudden disease outbreaks. The center will be treatment oriented, with the goal of rapidly producing new or improved vaccines for use by the public.

Features

The following features have been included in the design of the Pacific Rim Vaccine Development Center:

  • The labs will be able to support the research of at least 20 scientists.
  • The center includes biosafety level (BSL) 3 and 4 laboratories for vaccine development against any infectious agent associated with biodefense or emerging infectious diseases.
  • The center will house a clinical research area. The purpose will be to support clinical trials for vaccine development or immune system enhancement. The clinical research area will also allow physicians to isolate and assess as many as eight patients in the case of a sudden disease outbreak.
  • All safety and security systems are redundant, providing layer upon layer of protection for employees and the public. The design includes multiple, uninterrupted power sources.