Facility Details

The BRI accommodates comprehensive interdisciplinary research with a combination of BSL-3 biocontainment spaces that are not commonly found under one roof.

These include not only BSL-3Ag livestock housing and specialized spaces to study plant diseases or plant-based vaccines, but also large, versatile spaces to facilitate research at BSL-2 that requires very large equipment important to the food processing industry (e.g., meatpacking line, produce-packing line). If necessary, these spaces could be rapidly modified to support other national needs.

Our professional staff members provide exemplary support for training and education, research, education and outreach activities, safety, security, compliance, and operations.

Home to 113,000 square feet of lab, education, and administrative space, this BSL-3 and BSL3-Ag facility offers a wide range of research and training opportunities.

Specialized safety features
Total: 113,000 ft²
Laboratory, animal holding, and support: 31,000 ft²
Education and training: 10,000 ft²
Administrative: 10,000 ft²
BSL-3 research laboratories and associated support spaces
Prep laboratories
BSL-3Ag animal holding rooms and support spaces
ABSL-3 vivarium
ACL-3 insectary
BSL-2 food animal safety/security and food processing areas
Controlled environment rooms (plant and cell culture)
Walk-in cold rooms/freezers
Alkaline hydrolysis disposal system
Liquid effluent waste treatment (KOH capable)
Pass-through autoclaves and decontamination chambers
Chemical dunk tank for material flow
Sophisticated building controls

Single pass air system, i.e., no recirculation of air
Pressure gradients maintain lowest to highest risk directional airflow within containment
Back up power systems, boilers and chillers to maintain continuity of operations in the event of utility disruption

Versatile BSL-3Ag housing for multiple species
Air pressure resistant doors for high-containment isolation

Watch the video above and learn how one enters a BSL-3 laboratory.