# NERBL Core 3:  Biocontainment Research Support Services

> **NIH NIH UC7** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2024 · $409,038

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – CORE 3
The New England Regional Biosafety Laboratory (NERBL) was established in 2008 to: (1) ensure that
research and tasks in response to pathogens of pandemic potential and other emerging infections (PPP/EI) are
safely, efficiently, and rigorously accomplished; (2) serve as a regional resource for academic and industry
partners engaged in activities that yield knowledge and medical countermeasures to PPP/EI; and (3) be ready
to serve as directed by NIH/NIAID and their federal partners. A critical function of the NERBL includes the
development and continuous improvement of specialized research functions unique to BSL3/ABSL3,
particularly those focused on pathogens with human impact. At Tufts, existing expertise and knowledge
bridges several areas of emphasis including bacteriology (tuberculosis [Mtb]), virology (influenza), and vector-
pathogen interactions (eastern equine and Powassan encephalitis, tularemia). Building upon these
fundamental capacities, the primary goal of Core 3 is to optimize and expand BSL3/ABSL3 resources
and services for academic, industry and federal researchers to address both regional and national
needs. Additionally, Core 3 will provide research services, training, and expertise across the larger Regional
Biocontainment Laboratories network while also developing, validating and distributing standard operating
procedures for conducting BSL3/ABSL3 research. To accomplish this, we will optimize core capacities for Mtb
research, optimize core capacities for influenza research, enhance expertise in vector-pathogen interaction
research, and grow core competencies through the larger RBL Network partnership. This work is supported
by a set of team members with several key skills necessary for undertaking studies that involve Mtb, influenza,
and tick-borne disease, including: 1) propagation and isolation of pathogens; 2) use of several experimental
animal model system including tick challenge models; 3) application of medical countermeasure screening; 4)
use of various aerobiology methodologies; 5) assessment of immunologic biomarkers/outcomes associated
with infectious agents; and 6) integration of pathology and genomic data, including spatial
transcriptomics/proteomics. Together, completion of these specific aims will strengthen the overall RBL
collaborative with respect to collective expertise and capacities necessary for robust PPP/EI responsiveness,
and provide a toolbox of resources for the larger infectious disease research community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10910227
- **Project number:** 5UC7AI180310-02
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Sam R Telford
- **Activity code:** UC7 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $409,038
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-18 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10910227

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10910227, NERBL Core 3:  Biocontainment Research Support Services (5UC7AI180310-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10910227. Licensed CC0.

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