# Key Facility Upgrades for the Rutgers University RBL.

> **NIH NIH G20** · RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2021 · $3,328,439

## Abstract

PROTECT ABSTRACT
The Rutgers University Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) serves as a central facility to perform
biosafety level three (BSL3) research for academic and commercial entities within Rutgers University, the
Northeast United States, and beyond. Heavily used for high-threat pathogen research, this facility is now
confronted with aging systems including those involved in electrical, flooring, ventilation, security and equipment.
These deficiencies place the facility at risk for prolonged shutdowns when repairs or upgrades are needed and
threaten our ability to attract and retain first class scientists. This proposal seeks to rectify these deficiencies,
returning the Rutgers RBL to a state-of-the-art facility and a critical regional resource. This will be performed in
the following aims: 1. Install a second electric feeder cable into the existing double-ended switchgear. 2. Install
new high performance epoxy floor system on new substrate. 3. Upgrade the Johnson Controls Building
Management System (BMS) serving the RBL HVAC equipment. 4. Replace the existing belt-driven high plume
exhaust fans. 5. Replace existing air handling unit (AHU-1,2 & 3) supply fans with fan wall arrays. 6. Install new
keypads at all entry points. 7. Upgrade the video surveillance system. 8. Purchase a portable vaporized hydrogen
peroxide (VH2O2) system to enable selective room and equipment decontamination. 9. Purchase and install a
new state of the art multicolor cell sorter. 10. Purchase a QIAcube instrument to replace manual RNA/DNA
extractions. Together, these upgrades and new purchases will ensure that the Rutgers RBL is able to continue
its mission to support high-threat pathogen research for the current decade and beyond.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10393791
- **Project number:** 1G20AI167347-01
- **Recipient organization:** RBHS-NEW JERSEY MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** David Alland
- **Activity code:** G20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $3,328,439
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-17 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10393791

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10393791, Key Facility Upgrades for the Rutgers University RBL. (1G20AI167347-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-02 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10393791. Licensed CC0.

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