RYAN BURNETTE, PH.D. DIRECTOR ALLIANCE BIOSCIENCES, 9011 ARBORETUM PARKWAY, SUITE 310 RICHMOND, VA 23236
The design and operation of biocontainment laboratories requires expertise, diligence and resources. The expense of construction, and the investment of sufficient training, is difficult to justify even in developed regions. Therefore, the challenge to deliver cost-effective solutions to design, build and operate biocontainment laboratories in developing regions is ever more complicated. Confounding this issue is the true need for these facilities and personnel in developing regions, to participate in the battles against epidemics. High-cost biocontainment laboratories and programs are not practical for much of the developing world, yet the need remains critical. A challenge to the biosafety and biocontainment communities is to reconcile the great need against practical solutions to deliver functional, sound laboratories and programs to developing regions. This talk will highlight several examples of practical, cost-effective techniques to address engineering, construction and operational components of biocontainment labs and programs. Further, this talk will challenge the biosafety community to think about "what is the minimum standard for biosafety, and what creative solutions can we propose to facilitate these programs in resource-challenged regions?"