# BSL-3 Practices Core

> **NIH NIH UC7** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $634,289

## Abstract

Project Summary: The Rocky Mountain Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RMRBL) must maintain
excellence in biosafety and biosecurity to fulfill its charge of responding to public health and potential
bioterrorism emergencies. Updating, modernizing, and continuously improving the biosafety and
biosecurity program at the RMRBL ensures that researchers can effectively contribute to the important
mission of the RBL network. This BSL-3 Practices Core will facilitate the long-term goals for sustaining
high quality biosafety and biosecurity in the RMRBL through three overarching aims. Aim 1- Continuous
evolution of biosafety and biosecurity for a dynamic research environment is critical for protecting
researchers, the community, and the environment. Efforts supported by this funding will include
modernizing current training using universal design principles and evidence-based teaching strategies
for improved retention. New feedback mechanisms will be developed to promote regular updates to
training based on ever-changing research needs. Emergency response and crisis management training
will be amplified so personnel are better equipped to automatically react according to standard operating
procedures. This includes coordinating with external emergency management partners for live scenarios
and table-top exercises. Aim 2- Enhancing biosecurity through modernization of physical and
administrative infrastructure will bring current RMRBL biosecurity systems up to date and provide a robust
framework for a comprehensive biosecurity program. Keeping up with rapid changes in information
technology and global interconnectedness is an increasing challenge. Through this project, the RMRBL
biosecurity program will undergo physical security upgrades and administrative support expansion.
Considering the increased public awareness of high containment laboratory research, proactive changes
to the RMRBL biosecurity program will facilitate adaptation in the face of a changing regulatory
environment. This is essential for constant readiness in line with the mission of the RBL network. Aim 3-
Strengthening administrative controls for alignment with biosafety and biosecurity best practices will build
safety culture among RMRBL personnel. In synergy with Aim 1, standard operating procedures (SOPs),
plans, policies, practices, and inventory systems will be strategically reviewed and updated with an
emphasis on researcher comprehension and ease of use. Developing consistent feedback mechanisms
for users about the effectiveness of administrative controls will increase buy-in. New ideas for improving
RMRBL processes will be gathered during personnel exchanges with other RBL network biosafety teams.
Additionally, biosafety and biosecurity best practices will be reinforced through systematic investigation
of the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies. In sum, this core will ensure that biosafety and biosecurity
at the RMRBL is contemporary and flexible to adequately support t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10793909
- **Project number:** 1UC7AI180308-01
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Rebecca Moritz
- **Activity code:** UC7 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $634,289
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-18 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10793909

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10793909, BSL-3 Practices Core (1UC7AI180308-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10793909. Licensed CC0.

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