Galveston National Laboratory
Encyclopedia
The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) in Galveston, Texas
, USA, is a high security National Biocontainment Laboratory housing several Biosafety level 4 research laboratories, run by the University of Texas Medical Branch
for exotic disease diagnosis and research. The GNL is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.
attacks. Under the direction of the U.S. Congress, the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) began a nationwide search for a location to build a National Biocontainment Laboratory. In 2003, UTMB was chosen by the NIH as the site for one of two such national laboratories, and a $174 million dollar federal grant was issued to pay for its construction. The Galveston National Laboratory is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.
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The building houses more than 80000 sq ft (7,432.2 m²) of laboratory space, of which 12000 sq ft (1,114.8 m²) is dedicated to BSL-4 use. Other labs located in the building include BSL-3 facilities which research select & non-select agents in cell cultures, animal and insects. The laboratory became operational in November 2008 and was dedicated by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
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Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA, is a high security National Biocontainment Laboratory housing several Biosafety level 4 research laboratories, run by the University of Texas Medical Branch
University of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch is a component of the University of Texas System located in Galveston, Texas, United States, about 50 miles southeast of Downtown Houston...
for exotic disease diagnosis and research. The GNL is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.
History
In the early 2000s, the United States experienced several events which led to its government pushing for the creation of more facilities to provide research to help defend against bioterrorismBioterrorism
Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare, see biological warfare.-Definition:According to the...
attacks. Under the direction of the U.S. Congress, the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
(NIH) began a nationwide search for a location to build a National Biocontainment Laboratory. In 2003, UTMB was chosen by the NIH as the site for one of two such national laboratories, and a $174 million dollar federal grant was issued to pay for its construction. The Galveston National Laboratory is one of only two such facilities in the United States and the largest one in the world located on an academic campus.
Statistics
Galveston National Laboratory is an eight-story structure that was built using construction standards designed to resist a Category 5 hurricane. In addition to structural design elements, other protective measures included support pilings reaching a depth of 120 feet (36.6 m) into the earth and the placement of all lab facilities at a height of at least 30 feet (9.1 m) above the 100-year floodplainFloodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
.
The building houses more than 80000 sq ft (7,432.2 m²) of laboratory space, of which 12000 sq ft (1,114.8 m²) is dedicated to BSL-4 use. Other labs located in the building include BSL-3 facilities which research select & non-select agents in cell cultures, animal and insects. The laboratory became operational in November 2008 and was dedicated by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Kathryn Ann Bailey Hutchison, known as Kay Bailey Hutchison , is the senior United States Senator from Texas.She is a member of the Republican Party. In 2001, she was named one of the thirty most powerful women in America by Ladies Home Journal. The first woman to represent Texas in the U.S....
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