ABOUT COVID-19

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Welcome to the Galveston National Lab

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The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) is a sophisticated high containment research facility that serves as a critically important resource in the global fight against infectious diseases. The GNL is located on the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch and operates under the umbrella of UTMB’s Institute for Human Infections and Immunity.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) provides funding for the BSL4 laboratories and operations at the GNL, and the lab’s top priority is research to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines to combat the most dangerous diseases in the world.

Researchers at the GNL are internationally known for their expertise working with pathogens including Ebola and Marburg, emerging infectious diseases like MERS, and mosquito borne viruses like Zika and Chikungunya. Research also focuses on understanding transmission and pathogenesis of emerging viruses and developing medical countermeasures for dangerous pathogens that can be weaponized.

The Galveston National Laboratory is home to research that is funded by NIAID, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other federal agencies, as well as academic partners, private foundations, and the Biopharmaceutical industry.

Hurricane Season Information

NOTE: For media inquiries during storm season or any time, contact UTMB Media Relations.Their 24 hour hotline is (409) 772-6397.

Tropical storms and hurricanes are a part of life on the Gulf Coast. That reality was a guiding force in every aspect of the GNL’s design and construction.Emergency plans are updated annually, and all staff receive training to ensure their awareness of storm policies and staged shut-down procedures.

Throughout hurricane season, UTMB and the team at the GNL closely monitor weather conditions and storms around the world to ensure maximum preparation time in advance of any storms entering the Gulf of Mexico.

Prior to peak hurricane season (August and September in the Gulf), investigators complete product development and preclinical studies and do not initiate any new studies that might risk interruption due to approaching storms. Peak hurricane season is when special laboratory maintenance projects are completed, and only short term research studies take place.  Should a major storm event threaten Galveston, labs are closed and staffing is reduced to a “stay team” that ensures biocontainment is maintained and the facility remains secure.

See also: Frequently Asked Questions