# Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research

> **NIH NIH G20** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2021 · $3,330,000

## Abstract

Overview
The University of Pittsburgh has been ranked among the top ten recipients of NIH funding since 1998. Currently 
it is ranked fifth nationally in the number of awards received, totaling $570 million in FY2020. The Schools of 
Medicine and Public Health obtained a significant proportion of this. The University has a strong commitment to 
translate scientific knowledge and achievement into societal benefit. Vaccine Research is synonymous with the 
city of Pittsburgh and the university has a long history with infectious disease research. A thriving infection 
biology community works at biosafety levels (BSL)-2, 2+ and 3 with a diverse range of human and animal 
pathogens. The Division of Select Agents and Toxins (DSAT) program has been operational for over 10 years 
and our researchers work on a wide range of highly regulated, viral and bacterial select agents. The Center for 
Vaccine Research (CVR) investigators conduct research on BSL-3 Category A, B, and C priority pathogens that 
have an impact on the health of people around the world.
The Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) within the CVR is a hub for infection biology at the University of 
Pittsburgh. Opened in 2007 the center brings together infection biologists and clinicians from varied disciplines 
who have a common goal of investigating the evolution and pathogenesis of emerging infectious diseases and 
biodefense pathogens. It has enabled the acceleration of pre-clinical development of novel interventions such 
as vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and nanobodies, small molecule inhibitors and diagnostics for viruses and 
other infectious agents. Just over two years ago the university invested in a key leadership hire and appointed 
Dr. Paul Duprex as CVR and RBL Director. The School of Medicine provided him a generous recruitment 
package and startup resources to recruit at least four new faculty to CVR. In addition they reaffirmed their 
commitment to support the RBL in capital equipment. His vision is to integrate, oversee and expand the ongoing 
programs. The availability of this resource to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and neighboring 
institutions has contributed to the success rate of grant applications, increased the number of high-impact 
research papers accepted for publication and facilitated trainee, faculty and research staff recruitment. It is an 
essential element to the translational research ecosystem in Pennsylvania and beyond. 
Specific Aims
Aim 1: Upgrade RBL fixed equipment. The Pittsburgh RBL opened over 13 years ago and the fixed 
infrastructure is aging. In spite of significant internal commitments, expenditure of University capital 
equipment funds alongside CVR’s success in securing external support from the State of Pennsylvania 
Department of Community of Economic Development (DCED) significant upgrades are required to core 
systems. Specifically, the Building Automation System (BAS) and three autoclaves need to be updated 
or replace...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10394474
- **Project number:** 1G20AI167405-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** William Paul Duprex
- **Activity code:** G20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $3,330,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-23 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10394474

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10394474, Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research (1G20AI167405-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10394474. Licensed CC0.

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