# Enhancing SEBLAB Research Productivity, Operations and Core Laboratory Support

> **NIH NIH UC7** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2024 · $2,683,615

## Abstract

Project Summary
The UAB Southeastern Biocontainment Laboratory (SEBLAB) is one of 12 Regional Biocontainment
Laboratories (RBL) established by NIAID to advance BSL-3 research and pandemic preparedness. In continuous
operation since 2009, NIAID award 1G20AI167409-01 enabled the repair of natural wear and tear on non-
scientific equipment and essential upgrades to air balance, exhaust, energy recovery, and decontamination
systems. Subsequently, NIAID award 1G20AI167409-S1 enabled the acquisition of cutting edge scientific
equipment. The current proposal outlines a strategic plan to safely and effectively translate these investments
into increased research productivity and innovative ground-breaking scientific discoveries. Core-1 outlines
facility operations support, personnel support, and replacement of essential basic scientific equipment required
for SEBLAB to foster safe and productive high containment research programs. Core-2 seeks to support a solid
and effective biosafety workforce, external training opportunities, and development and implementation of high
quality internal training programs critical to the safe execution of high containment research. Core-3 outlines a
strategic plan to establish integrated core services within containment enabling the safe and efficient use of
cutting edge technologies, optimized research productivity, and ground-breaking scientific innovation/s. Upon
completion, this project will achieve the following: 1) Support SEBLAB facility operational expenses; 2) Fund the
leadership, administrative, and technical staff required to operate this high complexity facility, 3) Replace existing
basic scientific equipment, 4) Support high quality BSL-3 biosafety training, 5) Establish integrated research
cores within high containment, 6) Optimize and boost SEBLAB scientific research productivity, 7) Foster
RBL/NBL network collaboration, and 8) Fund and maintain a highly skilled BSL-3 scientific workforce ready to
rapidly respond at the frontline of emerging pandemic threats.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10910219
- **Project number:** 5UC7AI180255-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Sixto Manuel Leal
- **Activity code:** UC7 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $2,683,615
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-18 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10910219

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10910219, Enhancing SEBLAB Research Productivity, Operations and Core Laboratory Support (5UC7AI180255-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10910219. Licensed CC0.

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