Location: Research Programs
Project Number: 3022-32000-018-044-N
Project Type: Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 9, 2024
End Date: Dec 30, 2024
Objective:
NBAF ARS scientists will work closely with a Kansas State faculty to participate actively in discussions to improve animal studies workflows to draft SOP and protocols to support overall NBAF science stand up and transition.
Approach:
The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, KS, is a state-of-the-art facility that will help protect the nation’s agriculture, farmers and citizens against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases. Construction of the facility is completed, and commissioning is underway. NBAF will replace the 70-year-old Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC) where USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) currently conduct foreign animal disease research, training and diagnostics. ARS and APHIS will transfer their research and diagnostic missions from PIADC to NBAF in 2024 and will operate the facility jointly.
NBAF construction is completed, and facility commissioning is underway. NBAF will be the flagship of BSL-3 and BL-4 livestock research in the world. Dr. Juergen Richt will work closely with the NBAF director and Dr. Chad Mire (Research Leader of FABADRU) to establish the workflow for animals experiments in BSL-3 and BsL-4 biocontainment. Work will be performed with cattle, sheep and/or pigs using a BSL-2 pathogen (e.g., MP-12 RVFV vaccine, JEV vaccine) under BSL-3 or BSL-4 biocontainment conditions. Animals will be housed in either ABSL-3Ag or ABSL-4Ag animal rooms. Animals will be monitored daily for clinical signs and at defined time points clinical samples will be collected. After 21 days, animals will be euthanized and a detailed necropsy with collection of major organs will be performed. The samples collected in the animal rooms and necropsy have to be transported safe and secure to the respective BSL-3 or BSL-4 laboratories. To establish these procedures is critical for a biosafe and biosecure operation of NBAF. Dr. Rich will be part of the NBAF team to establish these critical procedures and guidelines.
