# Biocontainment Research support services core

> **NIH NIH UC7** · GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $919,306

## Abstract

BIOCONTAINMENT RESEACRCH SERVICES: ABSTRACT
Each of the twelve NIAID funded Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs) have
distinguishing and complementary research capabilities to advance infectious disease and
biodefense research. George Mason University’s (GMU)’s RBL, also known as the Biomedical
Research Laboratory (BRL) has focused on the integration and development of organ-on-a-chip
(OOC) models in containment to bridge in vitro and animal model testing for therapeutics and
vaccine product screening and evaluation. Furthermore, GMU has a comprehensive suite of
advanced research instrumentation to support BSL-3 pathogen and select agent aerosol
exposures in small animals as well as organ, tissue, and molecular level analysis of challenge
studies. These capabilities in containment are complemented by GMU’s expertise in
proteomics, metabolomics, and nanotechnology as well as a track record of developing platform
technologies that have transitioned from the bench to market.
The proposed Biocontainment Research Support Services Core at GMU will include 1) a
Microphysiological systems (MPS) core and 2) an Advanced Animal Research (AAR) core.
The MPS platforms will represent at least nine different organ systems with representation by
relevant human-derived cell types for at least twelve priority viral and bacterial pathogens.
Accompanying assays including the limit of detection for pathogen quantification, inflammatory
burden, and organ damage in the context of infection will be developed for each model.
Additional high throughput organ-on-a-chip (OOC) and organoid platforms integrated in the core
will provide added functionality, validation of results through multiple platforms, and accelerated
discovery. The AAR core will integrate a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art technologies and
infectious disease expertise to accelerate countermeasure development through cutting-edge
approaches for lead optimization, dosing, toxicity screens, safety assessment, efficacy, immune
modulation, and biodistribution.
The cores will be staffed with research scientists in the BRL to support internal investigators and
serve as a resource for the RBL network and partners from pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies; federal, state, and local agencies; and academic institutions conducting infectious
disease and biodefense research and countermeasure development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10910214
- **Project number:** 5UC7AI180261-02
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Farhang Alem
- **Activity code:** UC7 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $919,306
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-18 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10910214

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10910214, Biocontainment Research support services core (5UC7AI180261-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10910214. Licensed CC0.

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