The Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) at the Tulane National Primate Research Center stands at the forefront of critical infectious disease research. As one of the select NIAID-supported Biocontainment Laboratories, its work focuses on two vital missions: developing cutting-edge treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics for naturally occurring emerging infectious diseases, while also advancing countermeasures against potential bioterrorism agents. This state-of-the-art facility enables researchers to conduct this essential work safely and effectively, contributing to global health security and scientific advancement.
More information about this resource is available at Tulane University
Main Areas of Focus
- To develop treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases that occur naturally and against biological agents.
- To protect the health and safety of our community and the nation.
Who Can Use This Resource
- Investigators in academia, not-for-profit organizations, industry, and government studying biodefense and emerging infectious diseases may request the use of biocontainment laboratories.
How To Get Started
- Please contact the RBL at Tulane University directly for further information.
Support Services
Laboratory and Analytical Support
The TNPRC provides highly integrated clinical and laboratory support for infectious disease studies with a focus on the use of nonhuman primates. This includes a full-time team of clinical veterinarians, technicians and core services commonly used for infectious disease research including
- High Containment Research Performance Core
- Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic Parasitology Core (maintains arthropods important for the study of vector-borne diseases)
- Anatomic Pathology Core
- Clinical Pathology Core
- Confocal Microscopy and Molecular Pathology Core
- Flow Cytometry Core
- Immunology Assay Core
- Virus Characterization, Isolation, Production, and Sequencing Core
- Pathogen Detection and Quantification Core
- Infectious Disease Aerobiology Core
- Genetics and Genome Banking Core
- Tissue Reagent Distribution Program
- Unit of Collaborative Research
Many of the Core Services listed extend to BSL3 and select agent support.
Ability To Accommodate cGLP or cGMP Studies?
No.
Specialized Areas
The Tulane Research Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) has a unique focus on the use of nonhuman primates in infectious disease research and is the only RBL located on the premises of a National Primate Research Center. It also has the highest capacity for nonhuman primate research at ABSL3. As such, it has an array of highly integrated clinical and laboratory support services available, many within ABSL3, that cater to nonhuman primates. This capability extends to most of their scientific cores
In addition, all research conducted in the RBL is performed in accordance with an established research Quality Assurance Program which ensures integrity of the data generated and continual improvement of the RBL research programs.
Located within the Regional Biosafety Laboratory, our High Containment Research Performance Core (HCRPC) delivers comprehensive support for BSL3 and Select Agent research initiatives. Its specialized team enables investigators to conduct critical research under optimal biosafety conditions. The core provides bacterial and viral culture propagation, advanced sample preparation and processing, and project management support. From initial study design through regulatory compliance, our experienced team guides investigators at every step. They provide detailed budget planning and ensure adherence to all safety protocols, allowing investigators to focus on their research.
Tools
Animal Capabilities, Including Species and Containment Level(s)
- Nonhuman primates, primarily Macaca mulatta, Chlorocebus sabeaus, and Macaca fascicularis (BSL2, BSL3)
- Rabbits (BSL2, BSL3)
- Mice (BSL2, BSL3)
Animal Models, Including Species, Disease, and Delivery Method
Funded or ongoing studies involve:
- Rhesus macaques (M. mulatta) of Indian and Chinese origin
- African green monkeys (C. sabeaus)
- Cynomolgus macaques (M. fascicularis) of diverse geographic origin
Other nonhuman primate species of monkey may also be available.
Delivery methods for agents include IV, IM, ID, INoral, intravascular (IV), intramuscular (IM), intradermal (ID), subcutaneous (SQ), intrarectal (IR), intravaginal (IVag), intrauterine (IU), intrathecal (ITh) intranasal (IN), intratracheal (IT), and aerosol delivery (at multiple size modalities). Other delivery methods (e.g., intragastric) are also possible.
The Lab RBL at Tulane University also has a corollary capacity for other species including rabbits and rodents (delivery method for ancillary species include IV, IM, ID, IN, and aerosol delivery at multiple size modalities).
All agents listed under "pathogens" can be delivered by any of the methods described.
Pathogens
Current Select Agent approval:
- Bacillus anthracis
- Burkholderia pseudomallei
- Burkholderia mallei
- Monkeypox virus
- Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV)
- Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV)
- Ricin toxin
- Alpha- Conotoxin
- Botulinum neurotoxin
- Rickettsia prowazekii
- Rift Valley fever
- Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)
- Coxiella burnetti
- Francisella tularensis
Other agents handled in this facility include:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis multiple strains
- SARS-CoV2
- Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)
- Rabbitpox virus
- Chikungunya virus
- Non-Select Conotoxins
Imaging Capabilities
- Digital radiography of NHPs at BSL2 and BSL3
- PET-CT of nonhuman primates at BSL2 and BSL3
- Ultrasonography of nonhuman primates at BSL2 and BSL3
- Fluoroscopy of nonhuman primates at BSL2 and BSL3
Major Equipment Available
- Luminex bead array reader
- Real-time Thermal Cycler
- Olink Signature 100
- QS6 PCR
- MSD Mesoscale reader
- Agilent eSight
- Inhalation exposure system – large and small bioaerosol challenges
Shared Resources
The M. mulatta breeding colonies of the TNPRC provide access to NHPs to core and affiliate investigators for use in research. The Genetics and Genome Banking Core within the TNPRC houses pedigree information, as genetic relationships are important to research outcomes.
In addition, all of the colony animals available for research are classified as specific-pathogen free (SPF) for the following pathogens (at a minimum):
- Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)
- Simian Type D Retrovirus (SRV)
- Simian T-Lymphotropic Virus (STLV)
- Herpes B Virus (HBV)
An expanded SPF (eSPF) colony is available that excludes up to six additional pathogens in addition to the SPF4 agents listed above:
- rhesus rhadinovirus (RRV)
- simian virus 40 (SV40)
- simian foamy virus (SFV)
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- simian varicella virus (SVV)
- lymphocryptovirus (LCV)
Access to the TNPRC colony animals, managed through a TNPRC-based resource allocation committee following NIH-priority requirements, are a valuable potential resource for research projects performed within the RBL.
Contact Information
Director and Chief Academic Officer, Tulane National Primate Research Center: Jay Rappaport, PhD
Executive Director of Biosafety, Biocontainment Operations and Quality Assurance: Ann-Marie May, MPH, RBP, CBSP
Assistant Director of Research Administration and Biocontainment Laboratories (HCRPC): Nadia Golden, MPH