National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases (NCBID)
George Mason University Biomedical Research LaboratoryPhone
703-993-7510Website
http://ncbid.gmu.edu/Summary
The National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases (NCBID) was founded in 2001 as an integral part of the Life Sciences initiative in the College of Science at George Mason University (GMU). NCBID scientists explore innovative approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases caused by biological agents, as well as the development of unique environmental detection methods for these agents.
In 2011 NCBID opened the Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL), a new BSL 3 containment lab representing the U.S. mid-Atlantic region for NIAID. The BRL is a $50 million, 52,000-square-foot stand-alone, high-security facility located on a 10-acre site adjacent to Mason\\\'s Prince William Campus in Manassas, Virginia, and features more than 20,000 square feet of lab space. Researchers at the lab develop and test the next generation of vaccines, treatments and diagnostics to protect individuals against bioterrorism and infectious diseases. Research focuses on newly emerging diseases such as Rift Valley Fever and influenza viruses, as well as on pathogens such as anthrax, plague and tularemia considered by the U.S. government to be potential bioterror threats.